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 
convineed 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. 
We 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 
srowing, 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 
Jand 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 
