EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 229 



DISTANCE FOR PLANTING. 



Most of the old Micliigau orchards, especially of apples, were planted 

 too close. Trees produce uot only large tops, but develop extensive root 

 systems and are wide feeders. They should be planted far enough apart 

 so that they will not interfere with each other, or if planted more closely 

 than the i)ro])er distance, the plantings should be done in such a way 

 as will later permit a judicious thinning of the trees. Another disad- 

 vantage in planting trees too close together is the serious difficulty which 

 will be encountered in the operations of spraying and cultivating. In 

 orchards where trees are close together not only is the spraying more 

 diflQcult, but diseases and insects thrive more easily. For the same 

 reasons the outside rows should not be located too near the fence. 



The distance apart that fruit trees should be planted depends not only 

 upon the kind of fruit to be raised, but in many cases upon the variety. 

 Some varieties differ greatly in vigor and habits of growth from others, 

 and requires greater distances ; for example, the Northern Spy apple as 

 compared with the Wagener, the Crawford peach as compared with the 

 Gold Drop, the Grand Duke plum as compared with the Wixom. Trees 

 j)lanted upon strong soils require greater distances than on lighter soils, 

 because they will usually live longer and make a much more vigorous 

 growth of top and root. However, if the grower has clear and definite 

 plans to do repressive pruning, he may reduce the standard distances 

 somewhat. Close planting should not be attempted unless a man knows 

 bow and is sure to continue his practice of heading in the trees every 

 year. 



Safe distances for planting under ordinary and normal conditions in 

 Michigan are: 



Apples, 33-40 feet, or even 45-50. 



Standard pears, 20-25 feet. 



Dwarf pears, 10-12 feet. 



Peaches, plums and apricots, 20-24 feet. 



Sweet cherries, 25-40 feet. 



Sour cherries, 18-24 feet. 



Quinces, 10-12 feet. 



DOUBLE PLANTING AND FILLERS. 



There are few farmers who care to or can afford to plant an orchard, 

 cultivate, prune and fertilize it properly without getting back some re- 

 turns for tlie investment and labor before the trees produce profitable 

 crops. This difficulty may be overcome by growing shorter lived fruit«, 

 such as raspberries, strawberries, currants, gooseberries, or such annual, 

 cultivated crops as corn, beans, potatoes, or peas, among the trees. If 

 such a plan is adopted, the owner should realize that he must make 

 greater efforts to conserve the moisture and fertility of the soil, or his 



