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PROTECTION BY MULCHING. 
and to acclimatize those which are not quite hardy. It has also 
been suggested that certain trees and shrubs need to be protected 
from the sun, as well as from cold and wind. This fact will be 
noted in the descriptions of them. 
We now come to the special treatment of newly planted trees, 
premising that the general conditions just given have been com- 
plied with. 
Mulching. — Mulch signifies any substance which may be 
strewn upon the ground to retain its moisture for the benefit of 
the roots which it covers, or to serve as a non-conductor of the 
coldness or the heat of the air, and to retain the natural warmth of 
the earth beneath. Mulching may be done in a great variety of 
ways, and for different purposes. Summer mulching is intended 
to protect the soil from too rapid drying under the direct rays of 
the sun. Winter mulching is designed to prevent the sudden and 
excessive freezing of the earth. 
Leaves are the natural mulch for forest trees. At the approach 
of winter, observe how all the trees disrobe their branches to drop 
a cover of leaves upon their roots. The winds blow them away 
from the great trunks which are deep rooted and need them least, 
to lodge among the stems and roots of the underbrush which need 
them most. Leaves being the most natural cover for roots are the 
best. But they cannot be used to advantage in summer in well- 
kept grounds because of the difficulty of retaining them in place, 
and their unsightly effect when blown about on a lawn. In 
autumn, however, they should be gathered, when most abundant, 
for a winter mulch ; and can be retained in place by heavy twigs 
over them. The twigs and leaves together catch the blowing snow 
and thus make a warm snow blanket in addition to their own pro- 
tection. For summer mulching, saw-dust (not too fresh) and 
“ chip-dirt,” are good and tidy protections. Old straw is excellent, 
but is unsightly and too disorderly when blown by winds to be 
satisfactory in neatly kept places \ and when used too freely 
harbors mice. Tan-bark is a favorite summer mulch, and very 
good if not put on too thick. Evergreen leaves and twigs are 
admirable for either summer or winter mulching, but especially for 
