CHAPTER IX. 



MANURING UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM THE AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY- 



A WELCOME FOR ALL AT THE " HOME ON THE HILLSIDE." 



As the success of our system has been mainly attributed, by 

 several doubters, to our methods of fertilizing, we desire to put on 

 record that our practice is simply that of slight top dressing, with 

 compost applied in the early spring; the land having been first 

 prepared as described in Chapter VII by Mr. Maine. We have no 

 hesitation in saying that not to exceed one-fourth of the quantity 

 of manure is necessary under the methods of the new as compared 

 with those of the old agriculture. 



At the conclusion of an address made by us on Aug. 29, 1885, 

 before the Farmers Club of Elmira, the Hon. John H. Selkreg, 

 who had recently visited our hillside in company with Professor 

 Roberts of Cornell, was called upon for his views of " The New 

 Agriculture." His response was reported in the Husbandman, of 

 Elmira, N. Y., as follows: 



" I might, with a good deal of propriety, enter most earnest pro- 

 test against Mr. Cole's coaching you to call on me for testimony 

 that is not needed. The position is by no means pleasant, because 

 I have not expected to add anything to what has been said, nor am 

 I in a very high degree capable of judging questions with which 

 you, as farmers, are far more familiar. 



" I came to your city on business which occupied time, so that 



