THE ORCHARD. $1 



to be done, turn the sod under rather shallow in midsummer, or when the 

 native grass is most thrifty, and in the autumn plow again, this time 

 length-wise of the furrow and deep enough to bury the sod several inches. 

 The point is not only to have the soil subdued and mellow, but to have 

 the native growth turned under so that it will decay and fertilize the 

 land. 



The following spring, before planting, run over the land with a heavy 

 harrow, to smooth down lumps and level up for the trees. Previous to 

 this, however, see that the right grade is established for irrigation. 

 Every arrangement in connection with the orchard, of course, should be 

 consistent with convenience in irrigating. , 



There are various ways of laying out an orchard, some of which in- 

 volve considerable work and painstaking care. But the first and most im- 

 portant considerations are to have the trees well planted, and in a manner 

 consistent with good cultivation and a proper regard for economizing 

 space. After this the matter of general appearance may be considered. 

 If one is not particular about perfect accuracy or range in the plan, a very 

 good as well as expeditious way is to mark out the ground with a plow, 

 running furrows at desired distances each way. 



This can be done with reasonable precision by the aid of stakes at 

 regular intervals, to enable the plowman to keep his bearings. If one 

 wishes to plant so that the trees will range perfectly, not only each way, 

 but diagonally, the following plan for laying out, as given by Mr. Thomas, 

 in " The American Fruit Cultnrist," is quite simple and easily accomplished : 



"The following mode of laying out and planting will not require 

 one-twentieth of the labor commonly devoted, and will give rows that 

 will range perfectly, not only in both directions, but diagonally. The 

 writer has found that two men would thus la} 7 out from thirty to forty 

 acres in a day, with perfect precision, for planting. 



" The first thing to do is to procure as many short pins or stakes, a few 

 inches long, as there are to be trees in the orchard. These may be made 

 by simply splitting short blocks or boards with an axe, say half an inch 

 in diameter ; or corn cobs will answer a good purpose, and may be more 

 easily seen. Then procure a strong cord, as long as one side of the 

 orchard, or, if the orchard is very large, as long as each section may be, 

 if necessary to divide it. Then, with a pole or measure, mark off the dis- 

 tances of the trees on this line, sticking a common brass pin through at 

 each place for a tree, bending it around the cord so that it will not come 



