80 INTELLIGENT PEAR GROWERS. 
tributed throughout the entire heap. Such a com- 
post should not be used until the end of the second 
year from the time of making. By that time the 
mass will be homogeneous, and have the appearance 
of spoiled cheese. If intended for ground not yet 
planted with fruit trees, it may be applied in con- 
venient sized heaps on the surface at the rate of 
fifteen to twenty two-horse loads to the acre. Know- 
ing the condition of the land, the owner can soon 
decide the quantity necessary. The heaps are then 
to be scattered evenly over the surface and plowed 
under. There are many intelligent pear growers, 
who merely apply the manure, and leave it on the 
surface, believing surface manuring to be the best 
method of application. With us it has not proved 
so, although we have instituted numerous experi- 
ments for the purpose of ascertaining the facts. In 
nearly every instance, the results have been in favor 
of turning under the manure, with the exception of 
the lime and ashes. Our experiments were not con- 
fined to a single crop, but were tried with nearly all 
our cultivated vegetables, and, as I mentioned above, 
the largest returns were from those portions of the 
ground where the manure had been plowed under. 
During March and April, the compost may be 
scattered on the surface between the rows of trees, 
and when the soil is in a condition to be worked, in- 
