44 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



Before any definite plan of planting is decided on, one 

 should get the dimensions of the plot to be set, and figure 

 out which way it may be planted to the best advantage. 



Distances for planting will vary for different fruit 

 trees, with varieties, and with soils; and all of these 

 points should be carefully considered in laying out the 

 orchard. It is safe to say that growers more often make 

 the mistake of planting too close than too far apart. 

 No doubt it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of 

 most fruit-growers that, on usual soils, few varieties of 

 apples should be planted closer than 30 feet. On some 

 of our lighter soils they may be planted a little closer 

 without crowding, but a better plan would be to improve 

 such soils and set at the greater distances. Such varie- 

 ties as the Wagener, Rome (Beauty), Missouri (Pippin), 

 Wealthy, and Oldenburgh may be planted as close as 

 25 X 25 feet to good advantage. Planting 30 X 30 feet 

 may seem close to some persons, but there are probably 

 only a few instances in the arid regions in which more 

 space could be recommended or utilized. Fruit-trees in 

 the inter-mountain country are more inclined to overbear 

 than to overgrow, and to keep them well pruned and 

 within bounds is not only beneficial to the tree but it is 

 an advantage to the grower, as most orchard opera- 

 tions are facilitated thereby. 



To allow of proper pruning and the full development of 

 the tree, most varieties of peaches should be planted not 

 closer than 20 X 20 feet; and when we consider that a 

 ten-year-old peach tree that has been properly pruned 

 should have a spread of sixteen feet, it will be seen that 

 the distance is not too great. As many peach trees are 



