g5 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



of trees or vines are all at right angles to each other, as shown in 

 the accompanying sketch. This is the simplest arrangement; and 

 by some of our largest planters is held to be the best. It is true that 

 the trees are not equidistant from each other in all directions, and 

 that, theoretically at least, there is a portion of the ground unused 

 supposing that the roots occupy a circle, as do the branches. Prac- 

 tically, however, it may be doubted whether the hungry roots of 

 well-grown trees or vines leave any portion of the soil unvisited. 



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 

 of the old orchards in the Sacramento Valley. A common two-horse 

 turning plow is rigged with a "marker" a light wooden bar ex- 

 tending 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, indi- 

 cate the next furrow. Following the same course the other way of 

 the field leaves the trees to be planted at the intersection of the fur- 

 rows. In early days trees were planted nearer together than is now 

 considered desirable and, obviously, the operations of a marker be- 

 come more difficult as the distances increase. 



Measure and Sight. Another method which is quite commonly 

 used and answers a good purpose in small plantings is the combina- 

 tion of measure and sight. The sighting stakes are usually plaster- 

 ers' 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 

 way through the center, these laths occupying places which the trees 

 of these two central rows will fill. After these are in place, meas- 

 urement can be dispensed with, and the job can be finished by sight- 

 ing 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 di- 

 rected 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 



