PLANTING ON HILLSIDES 



103 



its point in. The head man and the inside man will stick pins, while the rear 

 man will slip his corner each time upon the pin set by the head man. 



After the first time across, the man at the inside point of the triangle 

 alone will set pins, while the other two fit their corners upon the pins in the 

 last row set. Thus one row of pins only is set each time you go across the 

 field. 



If the triangle is exact, and the first row of pins is set perfectly straight, 

 and the pins are always set perpendicularly, everything will now work like a 

 charm and the job will be perfect; and it is so simple and easy that a man 

 and two small boys can lay off from five to ten acres in one day. Remember 

 that no guide stakes are used anywhere after the first time through. 



The Triangle on Hillside. The use of the triangle requires a 

 little nicety in "leveling up" where the piece is hilly. By using a 

 plumb-line at two corners of the triangle, the third corner resting on 

 one of the stakes, leveling the triangle and bringing one of the 

 plumb-lines oVer another stake already set, the position of the 

 other line would determine the position of the next stake. This, 

 method has worked fairly well, even in places where the slope was 

 sufficient to give a fall of six feet between the trees, which were set 

 twenty feet apart. 



Locating in Triangles with a Chain. Instead of a wooden tri- 

 angle, a chain has been used in this way : 



First stretch a chain along one side of the ground, setting by it the first 

 row of stakes. This forms the base line. Have a piece of chain just twice 

 the length of the established distance between trees, with ample rings on the 

 ends and a joint in the middle. Put one of the rings over the first stake and 

 the other over the second stake. Then take the joint in the middle of the 

 chain and stretch it out reasonably tight. The wire forms a letter V, at the 

 focus of which stick a stake. The point is indicated with precision by the 

 joint in the middle of the chain. Then take the ring off the first stake and 

 put it over the third stake, leaving the one on the second stake where it is. 

 Tighten the chain again, and another point is fixed. Thus continue all the 

 base line, shifting the rings alternately, turning over the chain as one turns 

 a pair of draughtman's compasses in his hand when spacing off a line. The 

 second row of stakes being set, set the third row, and so on through the 

 ground. 



The suggestions given in this chapter should indicate ways 

 enough to lay off orchard and vineyard ground to answer all needs, 

 though there are other good ways not mentioned. It is hoped that 

 the instructions will not be regarded as too explicit. They are 

 intended for the guidance of the inexperienced planter, and will nat- 

 urally seem laden with detail to those who have become familiar 

 with the operations by repeated practice. 



