GRASS MULCHING 



159 



tion of the foliage in autumn of grass mulched 

 trees, indicates a sufficient supply of nitrogen. 

 Doubtless, however, it is the uniform and abundant 

 supply of moisture which counts for more than 

 anything else." 



"The first effect of a heavy rain is the conserva- 

 tion of moisture by the prevention of evaporation 

 of water from the soil of the area mulched. The 

 surface of the soil is kept comparatively moist and 

 the rapid decay of the vegetable matter, which lies 

 in contact with this surface soil, not only provides 

 accumulating humus and plant food, but the chemi- 

 cal and bacterial action in the soil beneath, favored 

 by the soil covering, and its decomposition results 

 in the liberation of mineral elements of plant food 

 and the formation of nitrates that otherwise would 

 not occur, or would be so slow as to be of much less 

 immediate benefit to the growing trees." 



Orchards are usually mulched by mowing grass, 

 which is allowed to grow between the trees, and pil- 

 ing it about six inches deep around each for a 

 radius of several feet, replenishing it about three 

 or four times each season. It is not efficient if less 

 than six inches deep, and eight inches is better. 

 The mulch is sometimes hauled from other lands 

 and similarly placed about the trees. It smothers 

 all vegetation underneath, furnishing such favor- 

 able feeding ground for tree roots that they develop 

 into clustered masses, even entering the lower 



