59 
3°, Hexagonal, Equilateral, or Septuple planting, so called 
because either seven trees enter into its figure or it consists of six 
trees—disposed after the six-sided figure of the cells of the honey- 
comb—and enclosing a seventh tree, or because each tree is equi- 
distant from any other tree around it. By this method of planting 
less ground is occupied, and while the roots of every tree has theo- 
retically the same amount of ground to feed on, assuming that the 
roots spread evenly round the stem, it is at the same time possible 
to set fifteen per cent. more trees to the acre as compared with 
square planting, and cultivation can be carried out in three different 
directions. ; 
The hexagonal is as easy a method of plotting a piece of ground 
as is the square. 
To lay out a piece of ground for septuple planting: Determine 
the base line; peg along it a few equal spaces it is desired to plant 
the trees at, say, for argument’s sake, five intervals of 22 feet each, 
the distance between A and B along the base line is thus 110 feet; 
one end of two lines also 110 feet each are fastened at the pegs A 
and B and are drawn together taut until the other two ends meet 
at C. Along the lines A © and B C mark off likewise five intervals 
of 22 feet each, and fill in the triangle as shown on the figure. Once 
the equilateral triangle is set, the lines are prolonged to whatever 
limit it is intended to reach, and where they intersect pegs are put 
in. Be the piece of land regular, or the boundaries irregular, as 
happens, for instance, when a vineyard or an orchard is planted on 
a river bank, the rows will all be in symmetrical lines. Another 
easy method of laying out hexagonals with a triangle is also shown 
on the above figure. Three pieces of flexible wire, such as light 
clothes lines, are cut precisely the same lengths, their ends are 
spliced to rings two inches to two and a-half inches in diameter as 
shown in the above figure—the sides E.D, D F, and F E are equal. 
Place one of the sides, say E D, along the base line, and drive pegs 
at E and D; stretch the third angle until the other two sides of the 
triangle are taut, and drive likewise a peg through the ring. Then 
round the peg F as a centre revolve the triangle right round, 
stretch the side lines taut, and drive short pegs straight down 
through the centre of the rings at G and H. Next move the wire 
triangle to the next disiance and do likewise, repeating the operation 
until the end of the row is reached. In this way a man and’ two 
assistants can mark out three rows with the greatest accuracy, pro- 
vided that they always ascertain before driving the peg into the 
ground that the lines are reasonably tight. On flat, even ground 
the triangle can be stretched flat on the surface of the ploughed 
land; but on sloping ground a little levelling is required, the tri- 
angle being stretched as nearly horizontal as possible by raising 
one or two corners as required, and a stake driven down plumb 
to the right spot. : 
The Quincunz is a method involving groups of five trees, the 
fifth tree occupying the centre of a square. It is only useful where 
