SELECTION AND PLANTING. 241 



indicate the stations which the trees are to occupy, we 

 may first strike our furrows or set our sight poles, all in 

 one direction, parallel, and at seventeen feet four inches 

 apart. Crossing these at right angles, we may draw par- 

 allel furrows every ten feet, and by setting our stakes at 

 each alternate intersection of these furrows, the proper 

 stations will be found for planting trees in the true quin- 

 cunx order, in which every tree will occupy the corner of 

 an equilateral triangle, and will be equidistant from six 

 surrounding trees. If any one prefers to dig holes with 

 the spade, instead of the more economical method propos- 

 ed, "by using the plow, the stakes may be set in parallel 

 rows, in such a manner, that in every alternate row the 

 first stakes shall be advanced one-half of the desired dis- 

 tance from the base line. It will be desirable in this, as in 

 every other system, to have a measuring-line at hand to 

 prove the work fro:n time to time, and make corrections ; 

 for, otherwise, the most careful planter will soon get out 

 of range. When the stakes are set properly, on level 

 ground, they should range correctly in all directions. If 

 the plantation be upon an uneven or hilly surface, it will 

 be found almost impossible to lay off the ground with ab- 

 solute precision ; but this is a matter of very little conse- 

 quence, as the growth of the trees will soon conceal any 

 slight defects, particularly if they be trained with low 

 heads. In the small fruit garden greater precision is de- 

 sirable, and should be attempted, but in the commercial 

 orchard, containing hundreds or thousands of trees, such 

 exactitude is scarcely attainable if it were desired. Some- 

 times the aid of the civil engineer, with his instruments, 

 is called in by the very precise planter. 

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