CHAPTER XII. 



MULCHING. 



Do not rake off the mulch in the spring, loosen it up. TIM. 



THE importance of mulching is becoming better 

 understood than formerly, and the work is done 

 with more thoroughness. The advantages from 

 it are well set forth below. 



A. M. PURDY Doubles the crop. 



N. Y. 



Mulching is almost indispensable, and with underdraining 

 SAMUEL MILLER and facilities to irrigate, strawberry growing 

 successfully hardly can fail. Mo. 



Underdraining adds much. It retains moisture and admits 

 E. W. REID air from below that makes it much better for 

 working. O. 



A. G. SHARP Mulching keeps fruit clean and helps to carry 

 through drought. Mass. 



I have never seen any advantages here 

 from mulching. 1 have tried straw but 

 got less berries where I used it and not 

 CHARLES WRIGHT half so good, either, 

 Wet ground should certainly be under- 

 drained. Moisture is always essential for 

 strawberries. Del. 



A. P. SAMPSON We have to wintet 

 mulch and use meadow hay. Mass. 



We mulch in the fall after the ground 

 freezes. It keeps the ground from thaw- 

 ing in the hot sun and prevents heaving or wintering out. It 

 H. S. TIMBRELL keeps the foliage green and fresh, and a 

 heavy mulch during the picking season keeps down weeds and 

 the berries clean from sand and dirt, also keeps the pickers 

 clean, helps hold moisture in a dry time, and answers for manure 

 when plowed under. N. Y 



CHARLES WRIGHT 



