234 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



satisfactory method of thinning the trees without removing too large 

 a proportion of them. When this system is used, and the trees are 

 planted at ordinary distances apart, the orchardist is almost certain to 

 postpone thinning the trees until they have so badly crowded each other 

 that their vitality is much impaired. Proper thinning requires the re- 

 moval of 75% of the tre'es, and this is very hard to do as long as they 

 are healthy and productive. 



PLANTING TABLE. 



Number of trees required per acre planted by square system : 



435 20 ft. X 20 ft 108 



363 24 ft. X 24 ft 75 



217 25 ft. X 25 ft 70 



302 28 ft. X 28 ft 55 



242 30 ft. X 30 ft 50 



135 33 ft. X 33 ft 40 



161/, ft. X ley. ft 160 35 ft. X 35 ft 35 



18 ^ ft. X 18 ft 135 40 ft. X 40 ft 27 



LAYING OUT THE ORCHARD. 



The problem of laying out the orchard is diflScult, especially on rolling 

 ground, and should be done carefully, so that the rows of trees may be 

 straight. An orchard in which the rows are straight is much more at- 

 tractive and satisfactory than one which appears to have been planted 

 carelessly. The extra care and time devoted to aligning tlie rows of 

 trees will be a source of much satisfaction during the whole life of the 

 orchard. 



The first thing to do is to establish a base line along one side of the 

 field, preferably the longer side, and from this to extend all further 

 operations. This should be established by a surveyor if possible, rather 

 than to depend upon a fence line or road line, which are so often 

 erroneous. If the field, to be set by the square or quincunx system, is 

 not larger than 3 or 4 acres, and is comparatively level, another line 

 should be run out at right angles to the base line, starting at the corner of 

 the field where the first tree will stand. The direction of this line may 

 be ascertained by j)lacing a carpenter's square, or a mason's square upon 

 3 stakes, one of which is at the corner, another along the base line, and 

 the third along the side line, so that one side of the square extends along 

 the base line. Sighting along the other side of the square, one has the 

 direction of the side line. Stout stakes should be set along this side 

 at intervals corres[)onding to the distance the trees are to be set apart. 

 Similarly, another line of strong stakes should be set along the opposite 

 side of the field, and at right angles to the base line. From the cor- 

 resjtcmding stakes of these two side lines, a wire may be stretched tightly 

 across the field, parallel to the base line, and tliis will indicate th<' 

 location of the row of trees. Conspicuous tags should be fastened tightly 

 along this wire at intervals equal to the distance apart the trees are 



