TRules 1Re0arfcin0 distances. 305 



E. Advantages of Long Distances. The advantages of long dis- 

 tances are the following: 



1. Unimpaired growth of the plant. This advantage is nullified 

 when pruning is performed, as will be seen when this subject is spoken 

 of. 



2. Freer circulation of air and light. 



3. Greater yield of fruit of each tree. 



4. Greater facility for cultivating the soil and gathering the fruit 

 without injuring the branches of the neighboring trees. 



When the trees are planted far apart and by this I mean at a 

 greater distance than three and a half yards, their branches will not 

 interlace, and free circulation of air, light and heat among the 

 branches and trunks of the plants will be secured. When there is a 

 free circulation of air, and the branches of the trees are exposed to the 

 light and heat of the sun, it is evident that the yield of each tree will 

 be greater than if it did not enjoy these advantages. Besides which, 

 there will be more space between the trees for the laborers to perform 

 their several tasks and the gatherers of the fruit to perform theirs, 

 without injury to the branches of the neighboring trees. 



F. Advantages of Short Distances. The advantages of short dis- 

 tances are the following: 



1. A greater number of trees will be contained in the same space 

 of ground. 



2. Consequent economy of hands and money in the labors of the 

 plantation. 



3. Greater yield of fruit in a given extent of ground. 



4. Greater facility for gathering the crop; for, the trees being 

 nearer together, it will be easier to strip them of their fruit. 



5. Fewer weeds will grow, as a smaller area of ground will be ex- 

 posed to the direct rays of the sun. 



These advantages are so important as to make short distances pref- 

 erable, as will be shown farther on. 



G. Rules regarding Distance. The preceding data regarding the 

 number of trees contained in each cuerda and their product, demon- 

 strate the expediency of planting the trees as near together as possible, 

 in order not to waste space, provided that this proximity does not in- 

 jure the productiveness of the plants. 



It is to be observed that in recommending, as of great advantage, 

 the planting of the trees short distances apart, the question is not 

 simply one of economizing ground on account of its cost, which would 

 be a very trifling advantage, indeed, where ground costs as little as it 

 does in Chiapas but of economizing labor, time, and money, things 

 worth considering everywhere, and more especially in Soconusco, where 

 there is a great scarcity of hands. 



