CHAPTER IL 
ASPECT. 
Various opinions are held concerning the most 
appropriate site for a pear orchard. Many, believing 
that they avoid the danger of late or Spring frosts 
injuring the blossoms, prefer a northern exposure. 
Others choose a southern or south-western exposure. 
My own opinion, founded on long experience, is in 
favor of a north-eastern aspect, on rising ground. 
There is but little to be feared from late frost on 
high or rising ground, and it is quite unusual to 
have a severe frost when the pear is in blossom. 
At our farm, near Newark, New Jersey, it has 
only occurred once in fifteen years. On the night 
of the second of May, 1863, a frost destroyed nine- 
tenths of the blossoms, only a few Winter varieties 
that were not fully open, escaped injury. 
I find that it is a good plan to mulch the ground 
around the body of the pear tree, late in the fall, 
with salt hay, straw, or other litter. It not only 
keeps the frost in later, retarding the buds from swell. 
ing before the weather is settled, but also prevents 
