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or hexagon, and enclosing a seventh tree. The term equilateral is 

 due to the fact that each tree is equidistant from any other tree 

 around it. By this method of planting less ground is wasted, and 

 while the roots of every tree has theoretically the same amount 

 of ground to feed on, assuming that the roots spread evenly round 

 the stem, it is at the s ame time possible to pack fifteen per cent, more 

 trees to the acre by this method as compared with square planting. 



The hexagonal is as easy a method of plotting a piece of ground 

 as is the square, and I have found it even easier than that latter 

 method whenever an irregular piece of ground has to be planted. 



By this arrangement, the space not only is more fully occupied 

 than by any other, but, moreover, cultivation can be carried out in 

 three different directions. 



To find the number of trees to the acre when planted on 

 the septuple system, find out the number given by" the square 

 system and add 15 per cent, to it. 



Various ways lend themselves to setting to work and laying 

 out an orchard according to the septuple system, but the following 

 is one which commends itselt for its simplicity. 



Determine the base line; peg along it a few equal spaces 

 it is desired to plant the trees at, say, for argument's sake, five 

 intervals of 22 feet each, the distance between A and B along the 

 base line is thus 110 feet ; one end of two lines also 110 feet each are 

 fastened at the pegs A and B and are drawn together taut until the 

 other two ends meet at 0. Along the lines A C and B mark off 

 likewise five intervals of 22 feet each, and fill in the triangle as 

 shown on the figure. Once the equilateral triangle is set, the lines 

 are prolonged to whatever limit it is intended to reach, and 

 wherein they intersect pegs are put in. Be the piece of land 

 regular, or the boundaries irregular, as happens, for instance, 

 when a vineyard or an orchard are planted on a river bank, 

 the rows w T ill all be in symmetrical lines. An easy method of 

 laying out hexagonals with a triangle is also shown on the above 

 figure. Three pieces of flexible wire, such as light clothes lines, are 

 cut to precisely the same lengths, their ends are spliced to rings 

 two inches to two and a-half inches in diameter as shown 

 in the above figure the sides E D, D F, and F E are equal. 

 Place one of the sides, say, E D, along the base line, and drive pegs 

 at E and D ; stretch the third angle until the other two sides of the 

 triangle are taut, and drive likewise a peg through the ring. Then 

 round the peg F as a centre, revolve the triangle right round, 

 stretch the side lines taut, and drive short pegs straight down through 

 the centre of the rings at G- and H. Next move the wire triangle to 

 the next distance and do likewise, repeating the operation until the 

 eind of the row is reached. In this way, a man and two assistants 

 can mark out three rows with the greatest accuracy, provided that 

 they always ascertain before driving the peg into the ground that 

 the lines are reasonably tight ; on flat, even ground the triangle can 

 be stretched flat on the surface of the ploughed land; but on 

 sloping ground a little levelling is required, the triangle being 



