60 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



ing. One of the most convenient and efficient on small areas, which 

 are comparatively level and set by the rectangular system, is the 

 wire method. Stakes are set along two sides of the orchard begin- 

 ning at the desired distance from the fence, usually 15 to 25 feet, 

 and then at intervals equal to the distance the rows are to be apart. 

 In setting these stakes, care should be taken to begin at the same end 

 for both rows and to have the distance between stakes exact. A wire 

 sufficiently long to reach across the field is then stretched between 

 the corresponding stakes on opposite sides. Telephone wire or even 

 smaller wire may be used. Number 14 wire has been used success- 

 fully on small areas. Fine wire or other markers should be fastened 

 on the wire to mark the proper distance between the trees. The wire 

 should also be provided with loops or rings at the end so that it may 

 be kept well stretched. Small stakes are set at the points indicated 

 by the markers, and the wire then moved over to the next stake at 

 each end ready to make the second row. 



While designed for the rectangular system, this method can 

 also be used in the hexagonal system by having the first marker of 

 the even numbered rows come half way between the first two 

 trees of the preceding row, and by having the distance between the 

 rows as shown in the following table : 



Distance Between Rows in the Hexagonal System. 



Lining-in Method. A method very commonly used in setting 

 an orchard by the rectangular system is the "lining-in" method. 

 Stakes are set on both sides and ends of the area to be planted. Lath 

 serve the purpose very well. The first stake should be the proper 

 distance from the fence, and the others at intervals equal to the dis- 

 tance between the rows. Two rows of stakes are run through the 

 center of the area at right angles to each other, care being taken not 

 to have them come on the line of the row, which is easily done by 

 starting between two of the stakes on the end. These stakes should 

 be in line with the stakes running parallel to them. The man set- 

 ting trees now has two stakes in each direction by which to line-in his 

 trees. By this method all intermediate stakes and the planting 

 board may be dispensed with. 



Marking with the Plow. When large orchards are to be 

 planted, the item of digging the holes for the trees is an expensive 

 one. To reduce this to a minimum, marking out with a plow is 

 a very good method. The method for staking is much the same as 



