MULCHING 



161 



layers of grass. The station demonstrations show 

 that when applied to apples, plums, cherries, grapes 

 and pears the yield of fruit is not only increased 

 but its quality is improved, the size of each speci- 

 men is enlarged and the growth of wood and leaf 

 is stronger. Experiments are in progress with other 

 fruits, and no reason is anticipated why it should 

 not be beneficial for fig trees; for most domestic 

 trees have their roots partly protected by build- 

 ings, and are indifferently mulched with yard litter, 

 both top growth and crops exceeding that in tilled 

 fields. It has been objected that mulching causes 

 a greater development of surface roots where nema- 

 todes easily attack them. This is true, being the 

 principal objection, aside from the danger of fire 

 in a completely mulched orchard; but, as yard 

 trees yield large crops notwithstanding their roots 

 are usually completely infested with the eelworms, 

 it must be that mulching, even carelessly, encour- 

 ages growth to the extent of overbalancing the dam- 

 age of these parasites. 



