24 THE AMERICAN APPLE ORCHARD 



opening of spring, so they start in the year with a 

 certain advantage over the spring-planted trees. 



On the other hand there are some drawbacks to 

 fall planting. In order to sell trees betimes in the 

 fall nurserymen sometimes dig them prematurely. If 

 the soil is not well drained, or if other conditions are 

 unfavorable, the trees may receive serious damage 

 during the winter. They may also be injured by 

 mice. On the whole, the case seems to stand like 

 this: When all conditions are favorable trees good, 

 soil good, drainage perfect, planting well done then 

 fall setting will be successful and is to be preferred. 

 Lacking any of these conditions, spring planting is 

 safer. 



DISTANCES FOR PLANTING 



In the principal apple-growing districts there is a 

 fairly unanimous agreement that 35 feet apart each 

 way is the proper spacing for standard apple trees in 

 orchards. On fertile lands in western New York 

 40x40 feet is often recommended ; while in a few sec- 

 tions, notably in California, closer planting is prac- 

 ticed. It may be said positively that the present tend- 

 ency is toward closer planting. This is coupled 

 everywhere with a tendency toward closer pruning 

 and the formation of smaller headed trees. This 

 tendency in turn is strongly promoted by the spread 

 of the San Jose scale and of other noxious insects 

 and diseases which require very thorough spraying. 

 Smaller trees are more easily sprayed, and may be 

 more closely planted. 



If one is to follow the conventional methods of 

 orchard management, therefore, he will plant stand- 

 ard apple trees 35x35 feet. He may make this 



