KEEP THE SURFACE MOIST. 83 



the summer months. I find in our orchard, that 

 when the ground around the trees has been well 

 mulched, not only the growth of wood is more uni- 

 form but the fruit is larger. This, too, on pear trees 

 otherwise receiving the same treatment. I was so 

 convinced of this fact, that for the past four years, 

 one part of the pear orchard has been kept covered 

 with hay the whole year, except when removed to 

 apply the spring dressing of manure. 



WQ always procure an abundance of * salt grass" 

 from the low meadows lying within one mile of 

 our place. This we find an excellent substance for 

 mulching the pear orchard. During the winter the 

 hay is carted home and left in heaps in convenient 

 places until summer, when it is spread over the 

 ground, about half an inch in thickness. This serves 

 a three-fold purpose ; it prevents the weeds from 

 growing, and, as stated before, keeps the surface 

 moist. Another advantage is, the pears that drop 

 or are blown off by heavy winds in the fall, are not 

 bruised and rendered unsalable, as they would be, 

 falling on ground without a mulch, especially if the 

 land is stony. It is a wise course to follow under all 

 circumstances, when material can. be obtained. , It 

 will require about four or five tons to the acre the 

 first year ; each succeeding year, half that quantity 

 will be enough, as from one-third to one-half of the 



