In view of the drought which prevails in many parts of the country and
its unusual severity over extensive districts, the _Rural New Yorker_
suggests to those who have planted trees or shrubs the past spring
that there is one method, and so far as we know, says the writer, only
one, by which they may be protected against injury or death from that
cause. Surface watering has been shown to do more harm than good. The
ground is made hard and compact, thus becoming a better conductor of
heat while it becomes less pervious to air and moisture. A portion of
the surface soil should be removed, and then pailful after pailful
of water thrown in until the ground, to a depth of two feet and to
a width about the stem of not less than three feet in diameter, has
become saturated. Then, as soon as the water has disappeared from the
surface, the removed soil should be well pulverized and returned. A
covering of boards, straw, or hay, or even of sand or gravel, may then
be applied, and the tree or shrub, thus treated, will pass through ten
days of additional drought in safety.
As soon as rain comes to wet the earth thoroughly, we think it is
better to remove the mulch. Nothing is then gained by permitting it
to remain. Mellowing the surface soil about the trees, thus keeping it
free from grass and weeds, is then the most that is needed. We would
repeat that the present is the season when the female borer deposits
her eggs on the stems of fruit trees, and the wash of lime, potash,
sulphur, etc. (darkened with lampblack), should now be applied and
reapplied during June and July, as soon as washed off by rain.
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