88 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



There are also forms of double squares and alternating squares 

 available for planting at long distances, with growths between, which 

 are ultimately to be cut out, or for vines between fruit trees. Such 

 mixed planting is, however, but little practiced in California. 



VARIOUS WAYS OF MARKING FOR SQUARES 



Marking With a Plow. This method was used in laying off 

 some large orchards in the Sacramento Valley. A common two-horse 

 turning plow is rigged with a "marker" a light wooden bar extending 

 at right angles from the beam, the bar being as long as the desired 

 distance between the rows of trees. On the end of this bar a crosspiece 

 is fastened perpendicularly, so that it scratches along on the surface of 

 the ground. The line of the first furrow has to be designated by a flag 

 stake, to which the plowman proceeds. When this is done, the team 

 is turned and sent back along the next row, the location of which has 

 been fixed by the marker, and so on for the length of the field, the 

 marker being turned each time to indicate the next furrow. Following 

 the same course the other way of the field leaves the trees to be planted 

 at the intersection of the furrows. 



Measure and Sight. Another method which is quite commonly 

 used and answers a good purpose in small plantings is the combination 

 of measure and sight. The sighting stakes are usually plasterers' laths 

 pointed at one end and whitewashed to make them more visible to the 

 eye. In the use of these it is necessary to measure the distances and 

 locate the laths to mark the ends of the rows all around the field. Then 

 locate a line of laths across the field each wayf through the center, these 

 laths occupying places which the trees of these two central rows will 

 fill. After these are in place, measurement can be* dispensed with, and 

 the job can be finished by sighting through. The man on the ends of 

 the rows has three laths to sight by in each row, and the stake driver 

 places the stakes as directed by the sighter. Good location can be done 

 this way if a man has a good eye and patience enough. 



Marking Off With a Wire. A measuring wire or chain is, per- 

 haps, the best means for getting accurate location of trees or vines. 

 It is used either for setting in squares or in other arrangement, as will 

 be described presently. Measuring wires are made of annealed steel 

 wire about one-eighth of an inch in diameter. The length varies ac- 

 cording to the wishes of the user. If it is desired to lay off the planta- 

 tion in blocks of one acre, the wire should be two hundred and eight 

 feet nine inches long, for that is approximately the length of one side 

 of a square inclosing an acre of ground. But some use a wire as long 

 as three hundred feet, when the acre measure is of no consequence ; and 

 others, in smaller plantings, make the wire just the length of the piece 

 they have in hand. At each end of the wire is fixed a strong iron ring 

 about one and a half inches in diameter, to be slipped over stakes ; some 

 use a larger ring, say three inches in diameter, because it is easier to 

 handle in pulling taut. Along this wire, patches of solder are placed 

 exactly at the distances desired between the rows of trees or vines, and 

 to these places pieces of red cloth are sometimes fastened so that the 

 points may be easily seen. Another style of measuring wire is made of 



