CARE OF THE FRUIT GARDEN. 41 



fall or early spring. There can be no doubt 

 that horse manure rapidly loses in value if re- 

 maining in a heap. " Well-rotted manure " is a 

 term which signifies a product containing pos- 

 sibly not twenty-five per cent, of the original ele- 

 ments of plant nourishment. It is true it is re- 

 duced to a condition when it may be applied 

 freely to the roots and at once be taken up, but 

 the loss in strength has been enormous. Much 

 less loss will occur if the fresh manure is spread 

 broadcast and exposed to the sun and air. In 

 the last case considerable ammonia is undoubt- 

 edly set free, but there is no fermentation, and 

 the absorbing power of the soil and the effect 

 of the rains will carry a large percentage of the 

 value into the earth. As stable manure is slow 

 in decomposing, when not heated, it should be 

 applied early, but not in such quantity in the 

 fall that its strong juices shall penetrate to the 

 roots and burn them. A mulch of an inch or 

 so in depth will not injure the roots of apples, 

 pears, and quinces, and will protect them from 

 the winter frosts. 



Spreading broadcast in the early spring and 

 working in with a sharp-toothed cultivator, as 

 fresh as can be got, is the most economical way 

 to use stable manure. It is a common opinion 

 that frequent turnings will prevent excessive 



