Detaik of Planting an Orchard 83 



base line in the beginning. By following this course, there 

 are provided at least two stakes (and more if the cross rows 

 have been filled out) over which one may sight in aligning 

 the trees when they are being planted. The spot where 

 each tree in each row is to be placed may be marked in the 

 same way as described for the basal row. 



A less accurate way of laying off land for an orchard, but 

 not infrequently used, is to strike small furrows with a light 

 plow along the line of the rows, the plowman being guided 

 as accurately as possible by conspicuous stakes placed at 

 intervals along the course of the rows as previously described, 

 and then checking in the opposite direction at the proper 

 distances in a similar manner, or perhaps by a man dragging 

 a heavy chain, the points of intersection of the furrows or 

 other marking being the approximate spots where trees 

 should be placed. 



While there are various other ways in which an area may 

 be laid out for planting to trees, and perhaps under some 

 topographic conditions others would prove preferable, the 

 methods described may be suggestive. 



Where the topography is very steep and broken, especially 

 if there is danger of the soil washing, it is advisable to run 

 the rows with the contours rather than to plant in squares. 

 When this is done it is impossible to follow any regularity 

 in placing the trees. With the rows following the contours, 

 it is obvious that the distance between them will vary ac- 

 cording to the irregularities of the surface. While it is pos- 

 sible to place the trees at a speciJSed distance apart in the 

 rows, a compromise may be necessary in locating the rows 

 between conformity with the contours and such a departure 

 therefrom as can be made and yet afford protection against 

 washing in the management of the orchard. 



