FOOD FOR PLANTS 135 



possible, know the adaptability of the varieties in 

 question to his soil, and should make his selections 

 accordingly. 



The richer soils naturally produce better growth 

 than those deficient in plant food. Planting apples 

 on thin soils is not advised, but excellent fruit is 

 raised on soils of only moderate fertility, if a sys- 

 tem of regular culture, cover cropping and fertiliza- 

 tion is followed. 



Establishing the Orchard. 



Before planting an orchard, the soil should be 

 plowed deep and receive thorough preparation. In 

 case hardpan or a stratum of rock is near the surface, 

 dynamiting may be advisable. The grower should 

 be certain that he is buying good nursery stock, free 

 from insect or disease pests. Strong, one-year-old 

 "whips" are considered most desirable for planting. 



The distance at which apple trees are planted 

 varies with the different varieties, according to their 

 size, but it is seldom less than 30 feet apart for per- 

 manent trees. 



There are three principal systems of laying out the 

 orchard: (1) square, (2) hexagonal and (3) quin- 

 cunx. In the first the trees are set at the intersec- 

 tion of two series of equidistant parallel lines drawn 

 at right angles to each other, and forming squares; 

 in the second each tree is equidistant from the six 

 trees which surround it in the form of a hexagon; 

 and in the last each tree is equidistant from the four 

 trees which surround it in the form of a square. 

 When set 30 by 30 feet, 48 trees are required for an 

 acre. 



