200 The Principles of Fruit-growing 



another line running exactly at right angles to the base line. In the 

 West, where the farms are nearly all laid out in perfect squares or 

 rectangles, the fields are apt to be rectangular. In the absence of a 

 surveyor's transit, a carpenter's square may be used to estabUsh the 

 lines, by sighting along its edges when laid on the tops of three stakes 

 at the comer. Set a stake at the farther end of each of these hnes. 

 From this first comer stake, measure along the base-Une 15 feet, or 

 as far as it is thought best to have the width of the margin between 

 the trees and the fence, and there set a stake. Next, measure along 

 the base-hne from this second stake the distance that the trees will 

 be apart, and set a stake. Measure along the entire length of the base- 

 line, setting a stake at every 16 J^, 20, 25, 33 feet, or whatever dis- 

 tance may have been decided upon. This line of stakes being only 

 the ends of the transverse rows and not the places for trees, they 

 need not be set absolutely in a straight fine, but should be nearly so. 

 Then, go back to the original corner stake and measure 15 feet at 

 right angles to the base-line and set a stake, which determines the 

 width of the border next the base-hne. Now, measure and set stakes 

 along this other side of the orchard site, up to the stake at the farther 

 end. The two remaining sides should be measured and staked in the 

 same way. 



"Provide several tall stakes with a white rag tied at the top of 

 , each, to use as sight poles at each end. If one can run a straight line 

 with a plow without intermediate sight poles, that is, with only one 

 at each end, these will be enough; but I have found that it pays to 

 have an extra line of stakes set a few rods from each end, and a guide 

 pole to be set at each in turn, as the laying-out progresses. 



"We are now ready for the plow. Some hke one horse, but two 

 make the plow run steadier, and it is easier for the plowman to sight 

 between two horses than over the head of one. My plan is, first to 

 mark out crosswise to the way I intend to plant, and to make but 

 a single shallow furrow. This being done, we are ready to make the 

 furrows in which to plant. If these run up and down the slope they 

 will act as a drain to the trees, in some measure. By plowing two 

 rounds and finishing with a dead-furrow or trench on the Une, and 

 then subsoiUng in the bottom of it, there wiU be very httle work for 

 the spade in preparing to set the trees. It is by no means difficult to 

 set them in the checks, with a httle sighting, so straight that no one 

 would know but that they were set by a Une. After setting the trees, 

 hitch one horse to a plow with a very short singletree covered with 



