ORCHARD AND PLANTING PLANS 



first, leaving a filler tree in the center of the square, which can 

 stand some years longer. 



The quincunx arrangement offers a verj^ good method of using 

 apple and peach fillers in a permanent apple orchard. Apple fillers 

 are set halfway between permanent apples, forming the corners of 

 squares running diagonally across the orchard. Peaches are set half- 

 way between the permanent trees on the diagonal rows. When the 

 trees begin to crowd, the peaches are removed and, a few years later, 

 the apple fillers. Figure 4 shows this arrangement. 



For those who want to get the very most out of a bit of land, 

 the arrangement of apples and peaches in Figure 5 is recommended. 

 The permanent apples are set 50 feet apart. Apple fillers are set 

 halfway between the permanents. Peach trees are set halfway be- 

 tween the apple trees in the perpendicular rows, with rows of peaches 

 between the combination rows. 



A study of the illustrations and text shows that, 

 while the square system is most wasteful of space, it 

 best permits orchard operations and is, possibly, best 

 adapted to the use of fillers. Thus, planted in 

 squares, fillers may be thinned, first to the quincunx 

 figure and later to squares of permanent trees, giving a gradual 

 transition from a closely planted 



orchard to one with trees far O • Q # Q • 

 apart. 



Advantages of 

 the Three 

 Arrangements 

 Compared 



The quincunx arrangement, 

 be it at all times remembered, is 

 but a series of squares thrown 

 diagonally across the field, and 

 offers a good method of using a 

 few fillers in an orchard. 



The hexagon carries the palm 

 of merit in saving space and 

 hence is most desirable for inten- 

 sive culture in home gardens. 



The choice of arrangement 

 must depend on the several con- 

 ditions of the grower. Cheap 

 land and abundant land indicate 

 an arrangement in squares; ex- 

 pensive land, small holdings, and 



^ t f t f t 



9 f 9 f 9 f 



f f f t f t 



9 t 9 t 9 t 



f f f f f f 



Fig. 3. Fillers used 'in the square 

 arrangement by planting early-bearing 

 sorts halfway between permanents in 

 both directions. 



y Permanents j Fillers 



17 



