22 Lessons in Fruit Growing. 



Land witli a compact or impervious subsoil should be 

 deeply plowed. A thorough subsoiling will often prove 

 beneficial for deep-rooting trees, as pears. The soil of the 

 plat should be rendered as nearly uniform as possible so 

 that the whole area may receive the same after-treatment. 

 Land that has been some time under tillage is generally pref- 

 erable to sod, though the latter may be used if the ground 

 was well subdued when seeded. 



26. Laying: out orchards. The trees are usually planted 

 either in squares or triangles (quincunx). The latter 

 method of planting admits a larger number of trees per 

 acre with the same distance between the trees. Straight 

 rows in the orchard should be insisted on, and may be at- 

 tained with a little care. Procure a strong, firmly-woven 

 cord, not less than one-fourth inch in diameter, and as long 

 as one side of the orchard, or less if the orchard is very 

 large. Having stretched this line firmly to take out its 

 elasticity, tie bits of red yarn tightly about it, at the exact 

 distance the trees are to be planted apart. On a dry, still 

 day, stretch this line tightly along one side of the plat to 

 be planted, to mark the first row, and drive a stake at each 

 red mark on the line. Then, if the trees are to be planted 

 in squares, place the line exactly at right angles to this 

 row, at one end, and mark off in a similar way the dis- 

 tances at which the rows are to be apart. Next mark the 

 third side parallel to the second, after which, placing the 

 line between corresponding stakes on opposite sides of the 

 plat, insert the intermediate stakes in the same manner. 



Tlie triangle method is a little more complex, since the 

 rows are nearer together than are the trees in the row. 

 The first row may, however, be laid out exactly as de- 

 scribed above. Then tie a cord to the first stake at one 



