148 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



nent trees. As indicated in tlie diagrams, the first proper thinning of 

 the square system is performed b}^ removing every other tree and alter- 

 nating in the rows, and leaving the orchard in the quincunx system. 

 This in turn may be thinned by removing the central tree, leaving the 

 orchard in the square system again. Thus an orchard set 20 feet square, 

 when properly thinned, leaves the trees 40 feet quincunx or in squares 

 28.28x28.28 feet, running diagonally across the field. This, properly 

 thinned, leaves the trees in squares 40 feet apart. 



The hexagonal or equilateral triangular system is popular because it 

 distributes the trees evenly over the field and permits of planting the 

 greatest number of trees per acre at a good distance apart. Approxi- 

 mately 15% more trees per acre may be planted. While it has this ad- 

 vantage, it has also the disadvantage of inconveniencing all cultivation, 

 especially in the turning at the ends of the rows and the necessity of 

 finishing up the corners, and also the impossibility of permitting any 

 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 trees, and this is very hard to do as long as they 

 are healthy and productive. 



PLANTING TABLE. 



Number of trees required per acre planted bv square svstem: 



435 



3G3 

 217 

 302 

 242 

 135 

 160 

 135 



LAYING OUT THE ORCHARD. 



The problem of laying out the orchard is difficult, 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 the 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 



