Service of a Mulch. 153 
trees. The contract intends the most complete and perfect 
working of the soil and specifies the above merely that there may 
be no difference of opinion between owner and contractor. 
In cases where the land is infected with morning-glory, 
weekly cultivation is stipulated for in some cases, and this seems 
about the only way to cope with this formidable trespasser. 
CULTIVATION FOR WEED KILLING. 
Cultivation for weed killing is a minor consideration in Cal- 
ifornia, because cultivation for moisture conservation effectually 
disposes of most of them, and weeds do not start readily in the 
earth-mulch during the dry season. There are, however, a few 
most persistent pests which require heroic measures. Johnson 
grass and morning-glory are the most prominent of these. The 
only successful treatment consists in cutting constantly with a 
weed-cutter (a sharp horizontal knife), operated so as to pass 
under the whole surface and run so often that the plant is never 
allowed to show a shoot on the surface. It is of no use merely 
to cultivate or ‘‘weed-cut” as for other weeds. This spreads the 
pest more and more; but if the rising shoots are continually cut 
under the surface, and never allowed to get the light, it will kill 
the plant surely, but it may take two seasons to do it. Weed- 
cutting knives of this description are usually contrived by local 
smiths and are attached to sleds or fitted with plow-handles, or 
used with a pair of thills and cultivator-handles, or other rig- 
ging as the operator may choose. The vital point is a blade of 
sheet steel, very sharp, and rigged to run just under the surface. 
Tt must be used as often as once each week. 
MULCHING A SUBSTITUTE FOR CULTIVATION, 
The use of a mulch or covering of the ground with a litter 
ot light materials to prevent evaporation, is practised to a small 
extent in this State. Though mainly used for berries of differ- 
ent kinds, recourse has also been had to mulching by vineyard- 
ists. The materials used are various, such as partly-rotted straw, 
coarse manure, damaged hay, corn-husks, corn-stalks, vine 
prunings and leaves, and even fine brush from adjacent thickets. 
The practise has been found of greatest value on hillsides where 
cultivation is difficult, and danger of washing of loose soil is 
great. There are cases where vines have been grown several 
years in this way to the satisfaction of the owner. The danger 
of fire in our dry climate when the surface is covered to a depth 
of several inches with a dry mulch is considerable. Asa rule, the 
mulch employed by the California grower is a perfect pulveriza- 
tion of the surface soil, as has been described. 
it 
