The Apple in Oregon. 133 



In the former style each tree is equally distant from the six adjacent 

 trees surrounding it; or, in other words, all adjacent trees are equally 

 distant, while in the latter style each tree is equally distant from only 

 four adjacent trees. Thus it will be seen that by adopting the hexagonal 

 plan the land space is more economically used; the trees are more evenly 

 distributed over the land. 



To lay out a piece of land on the square plan it is necessary to 

 establish two base lines at right angles, which may be done by sighting 

 along the long and short arms of an ordinary carpenter's square, set 

 upon three stakes driven at the corner of the proposed plantation, anr" 

 setting two rows of stakes in lines continued from the arms. Put the 

 stakes as far apart as the rows are to be, and when the stakes have 

 been set, in lines at right angle to each other, to the limit of the piece 

 of land to be planted, move the square to the corner diagonally opposite 

 the first used and run lines of stakes along the other two sides of the 

 piece. Then by using a few long stakes, two men can "line-in" the 

 stakes for the body of the plantation. The outside rows of trees ought 

 to be at least one rod inside of the fence line. 



If the plan adopted is the hexagonal, then a somewhat more different 

 course is to be followed in the first part. Establish one base line for 

 the first row of trees. Let this row be from one rod to 20 feet 

 from the fence line. Firmly drive small, one-inch square stakes where 

 each tree of this row is to be set. Procure a wire, No. 10 or 12 i? 

 about right weight, make a fixed loop in both ends so that the distance 

 between the extreme ends of the loops is one inch more than the distance 

 at which the trees are to be planted. Then let A put one loop over 

 stake one; let B put a stake through the other loop, step off toward 

 the Center of the field; when the wire is taut, he shall describe a 

 short are in the earth with the point of the stake. Let A then step 

 to stake two, row one, over which he places the loop in his end of the 

 wire; when the wire is again drawn taut, another short are is made. 

 Where the two arcs intercept a stake should be driven for the first 

 tree in row two. While A remains at stake two, row one, B passes 

 to a point at which he estimates the next stake for row two should 

 be placed, another short are is described, and A passes to stake three, 

 row one. A second intercepting are is made, and B places stake two 

 of row two, and so on tili the row is complete. From this point other 

 stakes may be sighted in, as the two base rows will afford a good 

 foundation. If the site is rolling, the stakes of these first two rows 

 ought to be four to six feet long. 



After the plat is well staked it is ready for planting, and herein 

 probably lies the most difficult part for the beginner, as he too often 

 finds it impracticable to get the trees planted in as good lines as the 

 stakes were. A little device for keeping the tree exactly in the place 

 occupied by the stake is illustrated in Fig. 14. When about to plant 



Fig. 14. 



a tree, place the notch A over the stake which has been set in place 

 for a tree, then drive a stake through each of the holes BB; in this 



