158 THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
the field, on the boundary of the orchard, or at least parallel to the 
boundary. By referring to the diagram (fig. 29) we should begin at 
A and set the stakes to B. This line should coincide with the first 
row of trees nearest the road. Then go back to A and set another 
row of stakes to C, this point being the extremity of the field in that 
direction. This row A-C should be at right angles with A-B if possi- 
ble; if not, it should be parallel to the road at the end of the orchard. 
A small level, combined with a compass, is the best and simplest 
instrument to aid in laying out an orchard. Even without the level 
the correct lines may be laid out, but this requires a little more labor. 
After the point C has been found, begin at C and set a line of stakes, 
C-D, parallel to A-B. For this purpose the compass on a tripod 
should be used in order to get the point D at least approximately cor- 
rect. The next work is to go back to B and set the line B-D parallel 
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Fia. 29.—Diagram illustrating a farmer’s method of laying out a fig orchard. 
to A-C. The point D is the only difficult point to set, and upon the 
correct location of this point depends the lining of the trees. After 
the point D is approximately fixed, it is necessary to measure from Bb 
to D in order to ascertain if the distance is the same as from A to C, 
and similarly to measure from C to D.to see if this distance is the 
same as that from A to B. If both the lines B—D and C-D are longer 
than parallels A-C and A-B, respectively, then the point D must be 
moved toward the center of the field, but if the above lines are shorter 
than these respective parallels, then the point D must be moved away 
from the center of the field. If B—D is shorter than A-C at the same » 
time that C-—D is longer than A-B, then the point D must be moved 
toward C. If, on the contrary, C—D is shorter than A-B at the same 
time that B—D is longer than A-C, then the point D is to be moved 
toward B. As the whole orchard depends upon this point D, it will 
