NOTES ON THE PRUNE. 
B57 
rows, at equal distances apart, and everyone thinks he can accomplish 
this. But there are various methods of arranging straight rows, each of 
which has its advantages. The principal forms are the Square, the 
Quincunx, and the Hexagonal or Septuple, of which the two former are 
most commonly used. That most generally adopted is the Square system, 
because the orchard can then be changed to Quincunx, even after a 
number of years' growth. 
In-order that the most approved systems maybe better understood, 
the following illustrations show how the orchards are first laid out, and 
how the trees look after several years of growth. 
The Square System (fig. 121). — The orchard is laid out in lines cross- 
ing each other with equal intervals of space, and a tree planted at each 
crossing of the lines. 
By the square method, at 20 feet apart, 108 trees are planted to the 
acre. 
The Quincunx System (fig. 122). — In this system the orchard is laid 
out in the same manner as for planting the square, but the number of 
rows is doubled, and a tree planted in the centre of every square. This 
method is chiefly used with the intention of removing the centre trees 
(generally dwarfs), when the permanent ones shall have obtained a con- 
siderable size. The orchard then assumes the square form. At 20 feet 
apart 199 trees to an acre are planted by this method. 
Hexagonal or Septuple System (fig. 123). — In this system the trees 
more completely fill the space than by any other plan. Six trees 
form a hexagon and enclose a seventh. The dotted lines indicate the 
method of laying out an orchard. By this means, at 20 feet apart, 126 
trees are planted to the acre. 
Triangular or Alternate System (fig. 124). — In laying out an orchard on 
this plan the lines are drawn forming a square, as in the square system, 
and a line is afterwards drawn diagonally across the former ones, and a 
tree planted alternately, forming a triangle. 
The advantage of this system is that more space is given to the trees, 
and they can be planted closer together without crowding. 
The following table will show the number of trees to the acre by each 
system : — 
Distance 
Square 
Hexagonal 
Quincunx * 
10 feet 
436 
500 
831 
12 „ 
303 
347 
571 
14 
222 
255 
415 
16 „ 
170 
195 
313 
18 „ 
]34 
154 
247 
20 „ 
108 
126 
199 
22 
90 
103 
173 
24 ',' 
76 
86 
137 
30 „ 
48 
56 
83 
* In giving the distances of trees of the quincunx, the fifth or central tree is hot taken into account, 
as it is generally removed after the others are grown. 
In planting trees the proper exercise of discretion is absolutely 
necessary, as it is in all branches of orchard work. Kules that apply to 
one locality and one set of conditions will be out of place in another. 
