Shading and plant growth

1244. Shading the ground, whether by umbrageous trees, spreading plants, or covering it with tiles, slates, moss, litter, or other materials, has a tendency to exclude atmospherical heat and retain moisture. Shading dry loose soils, by covering them with litter, slates, or tiles, laid round the roots of plants, is found very beneficial: this prevents the cooling effects of evaporation, and radiation.