18 FRUIT CULTURE IN GENERAL. 



out to be a very dear one in the end. The very best varieties (and 

 these are not always the most costly), as well as the very best trees, 

 are those from which you must expect to realize the most profit. 



ESTIMATE FOE THREE A0EE8. 



The following estimate wiU answer for an orchard of three acres 

 of ground, with such variations as circumstances may require. 

 [The number of trees will vary somewhat as the shape of the ground 

 is varied ; the calculation is based on a plat twenty-four rods long 

 by twenty wide.] 



Eighty apple-trees, thirty-three feet apart, covering two acres. 



Seventy peach-trees, sixteen and a half feet apart, set around 

 three sides of the whole. 



There will then be left in front one acre, which may be divided 

 into two equal plats of 132 by 166 feet. These may be filled as 

 follows : 



In ^o. 1. — Twenty standard pears, thirty-three feet apart, in 

 continuation of the apple rows. 



Thirty-two dwarf pears, in the same rows, seven feet apart, and 

 thirteen feet from the standards. And — 



Twenty-seven pyramid and dwarf plums, quinces, cherries, etc.^ 

 in the alternate rows, sixteen and a half feet apart. 



In No. 2. — Such number of almonds, apricots, grapes, nectarines, 

 gooseberries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, 

 as fancy may dictate, and will stock it properly. 



The above estimate will constitute an orchard of about 250 

 orchard trees — standard and dwarf — and perhaps as many more of 

 the garden or bush fruits. 



DISTANCES. 



Every planter has his own opinion regarding the distance which 

 trees should be planted from each other. Besides, some kinds of 

 soils and localities require greater distance than others; and some 

 varieties will bear to stand closer than other varieties of the same 

 fruit. A good rule is that, when full grown, the tops should not be 

 nearer to each other than one third their diameter. An apple-tree, 

 for example, when fully grown, wiU spread, on an average, to a 

 distance of twenty -five feet; the rule will give thirty-three feet as 

 the proper distance apart. Peaches seldom spread, or should not, 

 if properly pruned, more than twelve to fifteen feet ; the rule givei 



