86 



GARDENrNG FOR THE SOUTH. 



roots of newly-planted trees and shrubs. A little earth 

 should be thrown on the mulch, to keep it in its place, 

 and is more neat than exposing it on the surface. Mulch- 

 ing prevents moisture from evaporating, and it also pre- 

 vents frost from penetrating to the roots. Mulching should 

 also be applied to those herbaceous plants that are impa- 

 tient of heat about the roots. Strawberries thinly mulched, 

 the crown being uncovered, are much more productive, 

 and continue longer in bearing. Irish potatoes produce 

 more abundantly, and are of better quality. English peas 

 are thus kept much longer in bearing, and rhubarb and 

 other plants, requiring a cool soil, can be more readily 

 raised. Fruit trees, by having their roots mulched, are 

 kept in better health and vigor. Mulching not only wards 

 off drought, but, in this way, by keeping the ground moist, 

 and by the decay of the mulching substance, a good deal 

 of food is conveyed to the plants. Some authors, indeed, 

 think also that ground Avill become continually richer by 

 being shaded. A supply of small, fibrous roots are thrown 

 out at the surface by mulched plants, and thus is prevented 

 the formation of tap-roots, which are inimical to the pro- 

 duction of blossom-buds. But the great benefit of mulch- 

 ing is that a steady permanency of moisture is retained, 

 in spite of adverse circumstances, and without stagnation. 

 In general, the coat of litter for mulching must be thin, 

 that the rain may not be prevented from reaching the 

 roots of plants. 



Watering. — Watering is a very essential branch of 

 culture. Seed cannot vegetate, and plants cannot grow, 

 without water. All thf substances which the plant derives 

 from the soil, as food, enter into its circulation dissolved in 

 water j and even the spongeoles themselves, unless kept 

 moist, lose their power of absorption. 



