ORCHARDS. 311 



ing it with the soil. Leave the top spit until the planting 

 takes place. It is a good plan to prepare the holes some 

 time in advance, so that the soil may, by exposure to the 

 weather, be sweetened and made friable. 



Distances for Planting. An orchard may be planted 

 solely with standard Apple or Cherry trees ; or with Apples 

 and Pears ; Apples, Pears, and Cherries ; or Apples, Pears, 

 Plums, and Cherries. In any case, the distance apart 

 each way should not be less than 24ft. At this distance 

 75 trees will be required to plant an acre of land. Some 

 authorities advocate soft, to 4oft. ; but, as most folk 

 nowadays want to make the best use of their land, we 

 consider 24ft. to be an ample distance. If bush or pyra- 

 mid trees are preferred and these answer well for small 

 orchards which are to be used as poultry runs i2ftv apart 

 is the proper distance- The number of trees required per 

 acre in this case would be 302. 



Arrangement of Mixed Orchards. Where Apples alone 

 are to be grown, it is not advisable to mix the sorts indis- 

 criminately. It is better to plant varieties of spreading 

 and upright growth alternately. Thus, Warner's King, 

 which is of a spreading habit, should be alternated with, 

 say, King of the Pippins, which is an upright grower. 

 Again, if Apples and Pears are decided upon, alternate 

 the Pears with the Apples. If a mixture of Apples, Pears, 

 Plums, and Cherries be preferred, then alternate Plums 

 with Apples in the first row, Cherries with Pears in the 

 second row, and so on. The rows should run from north 

 to south, or from north-east to south-west. (Figs. 135 to 



137.) 



Planting. The next thing to consider is the planting of 

 the trees. First of all, drive a stout stake in the centre 

 of each hole. See that it is quite firm. Next get the tree 

 or trees, cut off all jagged or bruised ends of roots, and 

 place the stem close to the stake, then spread out the roots 

 evenly in all directions. Note the soil mark on the stem, 

 and add sufficient soil to cover the roots up to this mark. 



