142 APPENDIX. 



September, taking advantage of a heavy rain. I prefer 

 the early part of September ; in fact, I have planted 

 Hovey, Burr's New Pine Walker's Seedling, and 

 others, as late as the 21st ol October, and every plant 

 survived the winter withoui covering of any kind; 

 but I would not recommend planting later than Sep- 

 tember. 



Next, a few words about mulch-*.'*? and after-treatment. 

 Latterly I have seldom resorted to mulching. I have 

 a rake seven inches wide with prongs eight inches long, 

 made of highly tempered steel. This is m^ mulcher. 

 With this instrument I work between the rows from 

 spring till fall ; and frequently when the plants are in 

 fruit. I know I shall be told that this is a dangerous 

 practice, and I admit that it is in inexperienced hands ; 

 indeed, I would not trust another to use it among my 

 own plants, owing to the danger of injuring theii 

 fibres ; and yet I use it myself within an inch of the 

 crown. When, therefore, I cannot give the necessary 

 personal attention to my plants, I resort to the next 

 best mulcher, which is tan, either spent or fresh. I 

 prefer the latter. The ground should first be well 

 stirred, and the tan applied not more than one inch 

 thick. If too much is applied it is apt to ferment and 

 kill the plants. Many fine beds have been destroyed 

 in this way. Where tan cannot be had, leaves from 

 the woods may be used. These make an ad* .arable 



