FRUIT GROWING ON THE FARM 263 



that they had to be grown the extra season or two in order 

 to bring them to a marketable size/' 



PLANTING THE TREES 



The orchard site. Before planting the fruit trees, it is 

 evident that an orchard site musf be determined upon. The 

 foremost orchard fruit to be considered is, of course, the 

 apple, which, in common with such other fruit as the farmer 

 is likely to produce, requires a deep, well drained soil. 

 Neither apples nor stone fruit will thrive in damp soil. 

 Therefore a site should be selected for the orchard that is 

 rich in plant-food, with good natural drainage, and as con- 

 veniently located with reference to the dwelling as possible. 

 A gently sloping side hill is preferable, and, if it is a little 

 stony, so much the better. It may not be tilled so easily, 

 but the fruit will grow better. On hillside orchard sites there 

 is good air drainage; that is, the cooler air settles to the bot- 

 tom of the hill and the warmer air rises toward the top. This 

 often prevents frost on the higher slopes. 



Laying- out the orchard. The ordinary apple tree when 

 full grown requires 35 to 40 feet between rows. The trees 

 may be set in squares or in triangles. From 25 to 40 trees 

 may be planted to the acre, depending upon the distance 

 apart and the method of laying out. 



Planting the trees. Fruit trees may be planted either in 

 October or April. There has been much discussion as to the 

 proper way to prune and set the young tree. Some hold that 

 all the tops and roots should be maintained and that the tree 

 should be set in the same direction it formerly occupied with 



