LAYING OUT AN ORCHARD 



69 



that the hexagonal system stands in the lead. The great advantage in the 

 hexagonal system is that each tree has a chance to develop equally in all direc- 

 tions, and has an equal exposure to light and air. The one disadvantage is 

 that there is no good system of thinning fillers gradually ; but the large num- 

 ber of trees which may be used as fillers sufficiently pays for the extra space 

 caused for a few years by doubling the distance between trees in removing 

 fillers. It is an especially good system for intensive methods of culture and 

 can be easily cultivated. 



The location and site of 

 the orchard, the available cap- 

 ital and training of the or- 

 chardist, as well as economy 

 of space in planting and per- 

 fect development of the tree, 

 should be considered in choos- 

 ing the planting system. In 

 commercial fruit districts 

 where the land is very expen- 

 sive it will be of advantage 

 to use the hexagonal system, 

 with very intensive culture. 

 On the other hand, the prob- 

 lem of the abandoned farm 

 with poor land on hillsides 

 where cultivation is difficult 

 would be better solved by 

 using the square system. 



Fig. 30. Area of occupancy in the quincunx 



system 



The central tree crowds the others, as shown by the 

 intersection of the large circles. The dotted circles 

 show the degree to which each may develop symmetri- 

 cally. This reduces the plan to a square system with 

 waste space of 23 per cent and trees closer together, 

 allowing twice as many per acre 



If the owner of a pro- 

 posed large orchard does 

 not care to bother with 

 the actual laying out him- 

 self, surveyors may be employed. This, in fact, is the most practi- 

 cal method of laying out large orchards, although other methods 

 to suit individual preferences or ideals may prove satisfactory. 



Smaller orchards. When an orchard is small it is generally due 

 to lack of space, although financial or other reasons may be the 

 cause. Generally speaking, if the reason is lack of space it is 

 highly important that more attention should be given to getting as 

 many trees as possible in the orchard. 



Home orchard. In laying out an orchard for the home, stretch 

 a line, such as a wire, across the piece of ground from the corner 



