62 



The distances 12ft. by 12ft, and lift, by 10ft., for ordinary 

 grapes, are certainly excessive and an unwarrantable waste of space, 

 the cost of periodical ploughing, scarifying, outlay on purchase of 

 land, clearing, staking and trellising, fencing being out of proportion 

 with the number of vines. For currants and sultanas the distances 

 might well be 10ft. x 12ft. 



In the drier districts a superficial area of ground of 64 to 100 

 sq. ft. should be given to the vine ; this is obtained by planting the 

 vines : 



8ft. x 8ft. giving 64 sq. ft. each and 680 to the acre. 



9ft, x 7ft. 63 692 



10ft. x 6ft. 60 726 



lOffc. x 10ft. 100 435 



12ft. x 6ft. ,72 605 



The advantages of 10ft. x 6ft. over 8ft. x 8ft., are apparent for 

 the reason that for a given area of ground more vines are 

 planted to the acre ; the distance between the rows allows drays to 

 enter the vineyard anywhere, for carrying away grapes or the 

 wood after pruning, while moreover, should at any time the vines be 

 put on trellis, fewer posts, less wire, and fewer holes for the posts 

 will be required per acre. The only disadvantage lies in the fact 

 that those growers who work a 6ft. wide scarifier, require a narrower 

 one when working the land crossways. 



The object of reducing the number of plants per acre, as 

 shown above, as one proceeds from the cooler districts towards the 

 hotter or drier ones, is to equalise the development of the root 

 system underground with the development of the aerial organs 

 of the plant. In the South of France for instance, as well as in 

 Algeria, where the object sought for is to promote a luxuriant 

 growth and an abundant yield, the growth of the deeper 

 roots must be encouraged by every means, so as to make the plant 

 independent of droughts, and enable it to get nourishment propor- 

 tionate to its yield. It is also evident that in a dry soil, where the 

 mineral food required by the plant is not dissolved and in a state 

 fit for assimilation, the plant requires a greater cubic space of 

 ground than is the case in moister and richer soil. 



So much for the distance apart vines may be planted. In the 

 case of fruit trees, a superficial area of ground proportionate to their 

 natural growth must be provided for. 



Small trees like the navel orange, some dwarf apple trees, 

 pear trees with an erect habit of growth, quince, etc., will 

 require less space than the larger orange, apple, and pear trees. 

 An orchard, however, laid out at distances varying according to the 

 sort of fruit grown would certainly look unsightly and would more- 

 over be difficult to cultivate ; a uniform interval between the trees all 

 through the orchard should therefore be decided on. 



Many orchards are planted at distances 15ft. to 18ft. apart, but 

 these are decidedly too close. The average fruit trees should 

 not be planted at a lesser interval than 20ft., whereas a favourite 



