ARTIFICIAL MULCH IS VALUABLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21557, 20 January 1940, Page 14

ARTIFICIAL MULCH IS VALUABLE

■ I A good mulch, covering the soil or spread around the plants, is not only beneficial to the plants during average seasons, but keeps down weed growth and makes hand weeding and hoeing unnecessary. In ordinary agricultural practice, the moisture of the surface soil quickly evaporates following a rain and often falls below the amount necessary to supply plant growth. A mulch placed over the soil tends to prevent excessive evaporation and at the same time allows the roots to penetrate the surface soil, which is generally rich in plant nutrients. Another minor factor in favour of artificial mulch lies in the fact that when placed around plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., the fruits do not come in contact with the soil. A mulch may be defined as any artificial modification e of the surface soil. Straw and salt hay have been used for years in the growing of strawberries. These materials not only serve to keep the berries free from dirt of sand, but destroy weeds, conserve soil moisture, and maintain a more even temperature of the surface soil. Well-rotted horse or cow manure, leaf-mold secured from the woods, and grass clippings from the lawn arc also excellent materials for mulching pur- i poses. These materials are spread on the soil around the plant.—a layer of at least two to three inches in depth, —and then firmed so that the wind will not be able to disturb them. Should prolonged periods of dry weather be experienced, watering is easily accomplished by using the hose with the nozzle removed so that the water penetrates through the mulch into the soil to a depth of at least six inches. Within the past ten years, many experiments have been conducted in America with paoer mulch to stimulate plant growth. The paper is especially made for the purpose, may easily be applied to the ground before or after the seeds have been sown or the plants planted, and lasts throughout the season, when given a reasonable amount of care. , The practicability of using mulches depends upon the intensity of cultivation, the land area covered, and whether results warrant the expense of the application and cost of materials. Results secured experimentally show that maximum increases follow a complete covering of the ground. Interrow weeding is eliminated, making cultivation unnecessary, and with certain crops germination of seed is increased. Maturity of the crop is has- i tened and a superior growth secured in ; points of size, quality, and cleanliness of fruits.