3. Locating the Tree Rows. 



The tree rows should be located to facilitate the application of water. 

 On steep slopes it is desirable to run the furrows on a grade not steeper 

 than 2 feet in 100. It is therefore advantageous to locate the tree rows on 

 a line which will give about this 'grade. There are two common methods 

 of laying out orchard tracts, one known as the square method and the other 

 as the hexagonal or the equilateral triangle system. The square system is. 

 easier to lay out and is best adapted to the use of fillers. The hexagonal 

 system has the advantage that the furrows can be run in three or four 

 different ways and that the trees cover the ground more uniformly. The 

 two methods are illustrated in the accompanying sketches. The square- 

 system shows an apple orchard with fillers. These sketches are taken from 

 Farmers' Bulletin 404, (U. S. Dept. Agr.) which gives the following in- 

 formation: 



"Under irrigation systems peach trees should be spaced 20 to 22 feet,, 

 pear and cherry trees 22 to 28 and 30 feet, apple trees 30 to 36 feet. On 

 the Pacific Coast the tendency toward wide spacing has induced many 

 growers to insert peach fillers between the slower growing apple trees. 

 The arrangement of trees in a young orchard in Douglas County, Washing- 

 ton, is shown in the square system shown above. Here the trees are set 

 in squares 18 feet each way but in every other row peach trees alternate 

 with the standard apple trees. In the remaining rows Winesap apple trees, 

 are used for fillers. As the apple trees grow and begin to crowd the fillers, 

 the peach trees are removed. If more space is required the Winesaps can 

 be taken out leaving the apple trees in squares 36 feet both ways." 



Jon* tie* fact, J 



SM ( ( 





a 



Fig. 3. Plan of planting apple orchard with fillers. 



Fig. 4. Hexagonal or triangular plan of planting orchard. . 



