CHAPTER IX. 



MULCHING AND PEUNING. 



In the question of "Mulch or not to Mulch," we come on 

 another disputed point. Some advocate mulching orange trees, 

 both old and young, advocate it most emphatically ; others op- 

 pose mulching at all, just as vehemently, while others again say, 

 "Mulch young trees, and those just set out, for a year or two, 

 but never mulch otherwise." 



Who is right, and who is wrong? No doubt, in this as in 

 other questions where opinions differ, there is some right, and 

 some wrong on all sides. 



Taking it altogether, however, there is much more to be 

 said in favor of mulching than against it. Its opponents are in 

 the minority now, and likely to become still more so as time rolls 

 on and brings greater experience in orange culture. 



In one of our most reliable agricultural works we find the 

 following concise declaration as to what mulching does : " Mulch- 

 ing holds moisture in the soil and retains the atmospheric ammo- 

 nia, breaks the force of the rains, and thus prevents the ground 

 from being baked ; prevents also the soil from freezing so easily 

 as when exposed ; prevents rapid thawing during the heated sea- 

 son, and cools the earth : these are the principal advantages to be 

 derived from mulching, and yet they are sufficient to make any 

 farmer think favorably of it." 



And we will add, not only farmers, but especially orange 

 growers, mulching their trees, has been practiced by our oldest 

 growers, and the fact that they still continue the practice, speaks 

 volumes as to the result of their years of experience. 



The objections made to its use by some are, that it tends to 

 increase the surface roots, and increase the liability of them to 

 injury from frosts. 



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