80 Peach-Growing 



them any nearer together than the distance between the 

 trees in the row. 



Of these systems, however, the first one, planting in squares, 

 is used so largely in setting peach orchards that the others 

 require no consideration in detail here. 



Distance between trees. 



Obviously in laying off the land by any system, the first 

 decision must be in regard to spacing the trees. Common 

 distances are 18 by 18 feet, 18 by 20 feet, or 20 by 20 feet, 

 requiring respectively 134, 121, and 108 trees to the acre. 

 Closer planting is sometimes practiced, but it is rarely ad- 

 visable, while under some conditions 24 by 24 feet probably 

 does not allow the trees more space than they need. The 

 latter distances are perhaps used in California more often 

 than in other parts of the country. Authorities in that state 

 advise never to plant closer than 24 feet apart each way 

 unless on sandy soil. Moreover, the topography of the land, 

 the fertility of the soil, the varietal characteristics of the trees, 

 and the preferences and convictions of individual growers, are 

 all factors to be considered. 



When the site is a steep even slope, such as is shown in 

 Plates III and VII, the trees may stand a little closer together 

 in the rows running up and down the slope than in those par- 

 allel with the slope, since in the former direction each tree 

 is somewhat elevated above its neighbor below and not as 

 much shaded as if standing on the same level. 



The reason for allowing liberal distances between trees 

 is suggested in Plate IX. This shows a peach tree when about 

 five years old. Its branches spread 18 feet; its roots ex- 

 tended at least 36 feet. They were traced 19 feet on one 

 side and 17 on the opposite side. The branches of trees 



