SETTING TRESS 31 



work staking operations. Square the corners by 

 sighting along a steel square laid on three stakes, the 

 middle stake being exactly on a corner. When the 

 four corners are thus established, measure and stake 

 where the outside trees are to go, on two opposite 

 sides of the square. But do not have these tree- 

 places nearer than twenty feet to the outer limits of 

 orchard field (if there are shade or windbreak trees 

 on the orchard line, make the distance at least forty 

 feet) . Remember that when you come to work the 

 orchard, you will want plenty of room on the outer 

 edges, to turn the team, the harrow, or the wagon. 

 The square system of planting is easiest and 

 therefore most commonly used. Trees should be set 

 exactly straight, because this adds to the looks of 

 the orchard and facilitates cultivation. Here is an 

 excellent method of staking and planting : Begin by 

 using a small rope or wire, stretching this from one 

 base-line to the corresponding stake on the opposite 

 side ; then put in small pegs along its entire length, 

 the distance apart at which it is intended to plant the 

 trees. After the whole orchard has been so laid out, 

 take a double-staking board having three V-shaped 

 notches in it. This board may be about four feet long 

 and perhaps four inches wide ; any thickness desired. 

 Start at the first peg and place board so that the stake 

 fits in the centre notch, then remove this stake and 

 put it in the notch made at one end of the board, and 

 put another stake in the notch in the opposite end of 

 the board ; and continue until the whole orchard is 

 double-staked in this way. A hole can now be dug 

 between each two stakes. To do the planting the 



