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530 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The soil being shaded from the direct action of the sun, would 
remain comparatively cool and moist ; when rain fell, much of 
it would be retained by the soil, and not pass rapidly off as 
vapor, which must be the case to a great extent, when the bare 
soil has become dry and heated by a continuance of dry, bright 
weather. A high earth temperature, with moisture, and a hot, 
damp atmosphere, are conditions highly favorable to the rapid 
development of tissue ; but if by mulching we can keep the 
earth comparatively cool, and of a more equal temperature, 
two or three hot, damp days, will not, it is presumed, have the 
same [forcing effect on our trees ; and the greater amount of 
moisture which will be retained by the soil, will afford a more 
regular and continuous supply to the roots, and thus enable the 
leaves not only to withstand the scorching effects of the bright 
sunshine, but to take advantage of this bright light, to prepare 
and store up a greater amount of elaborated sap, on which all 
new growths, and the production of fruit, essentially depend. 
Let all who wish to aid in solving the problem, how to grow 
fruit sucessfully in Wisconsin, try this, if it be only on a small 
scale ; the trouble will not be much, the benefit- to be derived 
may be great. 
The strawberry, which grows naturally best, in a strong, rich, 
rather moist soil, I find makes a most grateful return for the la¬ 
bor bestowed in mulching. 
From what we know of the history, wild and cultivated, of 
the gooseberry and currant—there can be little doubt, that if 
mulched every year, their growth generally, will be more 
thrifty. The English gooseberries, as is generally known, are 
so liable to be attacked by mildew, here, as to be almost worth¬ 
less ; but I remember reading a statement in the Prairie Far¬ 
mer, some years ago, by the Editor, Mr. Wright, that in his 
garden at Chicago, they did not mildew. He was combating 
the opinion, erroneous, as I believe with him, that the so-called 
pistillated varieties of the strawberry, never, under any circum¬ 
stances, produce hermaphrodite flowers. In his garden they 
produced perfect flowers ; this, and the freedom of his goose- 
t 
