S45 = 
The following table will show the number of trees to the acre by the 
square, quincunx, and hexagonal or septuple systems: 
Square. pare a Quincunx. 
OMe eb 22a chan cere arn cee a eee eA ee 436 500 881 
M2 Wee rast oe Ro Saas s gaa hepeaie seems cute aken 803 347 
WAAC CT eco charaayei secretes Rien Aces ie Cody here be tint emiol enn 222 255 
TG fCCb ic caer oh es a saiecele Stns rranawaiecivciectae eae 170 195 
18 feet ____ 134 154 ud, 
20 feet ._.. 109 126 
22 feet ____ file hia eshiedes ieee cee 90 103 
OZ (2) eee 76 86 Peyi 
SO f0Cb ied acca wscecs sarc lodeceeie eninge seesecaremouns 48 56 83 
- Norz.—In giving the distances of trees of the quincunx, the fifth or central tree is not 
taken into account. 
For any distances not given in the above data, calculate the number 
of trees to the acre by the square system, and add 15 per cent. This 
will give the number if planted septuple. 
In the proper planting of trees a little admixture of brains is an abso- 
lute necessity, as it is in all branches of orchard work. Rules that 
would apply to one locality and under one set of conditions will fail in 
another. Some of the most successful orchardists advise the removal of 
the top dirt carefully, then the digging of a hole of liberal depth and 
‘the placing of the surface soil in the bottom; upon this the tree roots 
are to be set and the hole filled up with top dirt. Where there is a sub- 
soil of cold, heavy clay this plan is admirable, but in warmer, sandy 
soils it is unnecessary. One of the most experienced prune growers in 
Santa Clara County advises the throwing out of a dead furrow after the 
land has been prepared, in which the trees are to be set at proper dis- 
tances, and the soil thrown back on them with a plow and afterwards 
pressed closely around the roots. 
The more careful method is the best, as it gives the young tree better 
root hold, and affords a larger area from which to derive its nourish- 
ment during its early period of growth. 
The distance at which trees are planted in orchard row varies from 
eighteen to twenty-four feet, twenty feet being the favorite, and under 
most conditions probably the best distance. On very strong soil the 
greater distance would be better, as where more closely planted the limbs 
of the full-grown trees are liable to become intertwined, and to render 
cultivation and gathering unhandy. Ata distance of twenty feet apart, 
planted by the square plan, there would be one hundred and nine trees 
to the acre, and by the hexagonal plan one hundred and twenty-six. 
After planting the young trees should be cut back to eighteen inches 
from the ground, and they should be protected during the first season 
from the heat of the sun by a shade on the south side. Three or four 
buds should be allowed to grow at the top, and the terminal buds of the 
lower branches should be pinched back after they have grown out a 
little, so that the buds will put out leaves and shade the stalk the first 
year. 
_ VARIETIES. 
The principal varieties are the California (the Petite Prune d’Agen), 
the Bulgarian, the Fellenberg, the German, the Hungarian and the 
Hungarian Date Prune, the Robe de Sergent, the Silver, and the Tragedy. 
