Planting and Care of the Pecan Ordiard 109 



The square method is the simplest and is in most common 

 use. To lay out an orchard the first step is to select the side 

 from which to begin. This is usually the longest side, so that 

 a long base line may be obtained. For the base line, the de- 

 sired distance from the fence, say twenty feet, should be 

 measured, leaving ample z^oom for cultivation and other 

 orchard operations, and a stake set at each end of the line. 

 Then by sighting from one stake to the other and measuring 

 from the first point, the stakes in the base line are lined up 

 and set at the proper distance from each other. This locates 

 the base line a certain distance from the fence, with all stakes 

 in line, and the distance apart that the trees are to be planted 

 (Fig. 24). 



The next step is to square the cross rows from the base line. 

 At each end of the latter a square corner should be made by 

 means of a 60, 80, and 100-foot triangle. One should measure 

 60 feet back along the base line and hold one end of a 100-foot 

 line there ; then hold one end of an 80-foot line at the corner, 

 and where the loose ends of the two lines meet will mark a 

 point on the cross line. By sighting from the corner through 

 this point the cross line is prolonged across the field. "When 

 both cross lines have been established, then the fourth side, 

 across the field from the base line, is put in by squaring it on 

 one of the cross lines. 



With the field thus squared, the next step is to measure off 

 the distances on each line where the trees are to stand. Then 

 with a man back of the base line, and another back of one cross 

 line, all the stakes in the field may be sighted in place, a third 

 person holding them while the two others sight them in place. 



If it is desired to line up the trees by means of furrows 

 instead of sighting, this can be done very easily after the field 



