MULCHING. 



The advantages of mulching are that when applied at the 

 beginning of winter it prevents the plants being drawn up by 

 the frost, disturbing and breaking the roots. If left on late iu 

 J. W. ADAMS the spring it helps to escape frost while the 

 plants are in bloom, and it also retards ripening of the berries. 

 When renewed in the spring it keeps down weeds, and the fruit 

 from sand and dirt. Mass. 



Mulching is absolutely necessary at 

 the north for winter protection. Some 

 varieties, sucli as Parker Katie, absolutely 

 need four inches of well-rotted manure, 

 GEORGE J. KELLOGG covering the entire 

 space between the rows to protect them 

 from drought and feed the enormous 

 burden of fruit, and the same treatment 

 will pay on all varieties. Wis. 



Without mulching, the bed becomes 

 Z. T. RUSSELL thoroughly set with GEORGE J- 

 weeds and grasses, and is ruined by a few days' drought. Mo. 



SUMMARY REMARKS. 



I have but little to add to the above arguments in 

 favor of careful mulching. Early winter is the best 

 time to do the work, after the ground becomes hard 

 enough to bear a team. Swamp hay, straw and cut 

 corn fodder are all good materials for the purpose, but 

 the best thing is well fermented and rotted horse 

 manure. The plants should always be covered up 

 clear out of sight during the winter, and in the spring 

 the mulch should be retained around the plants, but 

 not directly on them. A heavy mulch left on late in 

 the spring insures late berries. The plants must 

 have some vent if covered deeply after the weather 

 warms up, but do not rake the mulch off the row. 



