Establishing the Apple Orchard 147 



the trees so that they will not dry out. Care must be taken 

 in order that the varieties will not become mixed. 



SYSTEMS OF PLANTING (FIG. 2 ) 



The following are the three best-known planting 

 systems : 



( 1 ) In the square planting system, the rows run at right 

 angles and\ the trees are the same distance apart each 

 way. This method facilitates cultivation, spraying, har- 

 vesting, and other cultural operations. 



(2) In the hexagonal system the trees are equally dis- 

 tant in every direction, being set in equilateral triangles 

 or alternate rows, so that the space between each group of 

 four trees is diamond-shaped. The hexagonal system does 

 not lend itself well to the use of fillers, but since all the 

 trees are equidistant there is an equal distribution of air, 

 light and soil. This system provides for about 15 per 

 cent more trees to the acre than could be planted on the 

 square plan at the same planting distance. 



(3) With the quincunx system, the trees are set in 

 squares with a tree in the center. This latter plan is 

 adapted to plantings where fillers are used, it being possi- 

 ble to remove the tree in the center of the square without 

 disturbing the permanent planting system. 



The symmetry of the orchard depends to a large ex- 

 tent on the evenness of the rows. When a large orchard 

 is being set, it may pay to employ the use of a transit so 

 that the trees may be spaced with utmost accuracy. 

 This is not absolutely necessary, however, since more sim- 

 ple methods may be practiced, particularly with more 

 limited plantings. Whatever system of planting is fol- 

 lowed in laying out the orchard, the first trees should be 



