14 
PLANTING METHODS 
the field. Set another row of 
stakes from the centers of 
the two remaining sides of 
the field, crossing the first 
row at right angles in the 
center of the field. These 
stakes should occupy places 
which the trees of these two 
central rows will fill. All 
these stakes should be rea- 
sonably tall, and if the ends 
are painted white it will be 
easier to see them. Ordinary 
plaster laths make good 
stakes. 
After the stakes around 
the field and the two rows 
across it (one row each way) 
are in place it will not be 
necessary to do any more 
measuring, for the job can be 
finished by sighting through. 
Wherever a tree is to be lo- 
cated, it will be possible to 
sight on two stakes on the 
lines running up and down 
and two stakes on the lines 
running crosswise. A gang 
of three men can be used to 
good advantage — one man 
sights in one direction, an- 
other in the other direction, 
and the third man sets the 
stakes. He is waved into 
position by the two sighters 
where each stake is to be set, 
and every one goes into the 
right spot. When this method is used, it is very often possible to dig 
the holes and set the trees without setting stakes. 
Planting by Ti^^s is another very good method, reasonably cheap, and 
MeaSU^ possibly the most accurate of all. 
1. Lay off a base line, which should be along a line 
fence or along the road. It should be far enough from the road or the 
line fence to allow plenty of room in turning and in cultivating the outside 
of the row — 20 or 25 feet is not too much for an apple orchard; less will 
do for a smaller-growing tree. Next, set a stake on this line in one cor- 
ner of the field where the corner tree is to stand. 
2. Set a range stake at the other end and the same distance from the 
road or line fence. These two stakes make the base line. Now begin at 
the stake No. I and set stakes along the base line toward stake No. 2, 
being careful to get the stakes the exact distance that you want between 
the trees. 
3. When you have the stakes set in this base line across the field, 
begin at about the center of this line and lay off another line of stakes at 
right angles to the first, and set the stakes on this line in the same way 
that you set them in the base line. 
Use of the Measure and Sight Method. 
This diagram shows the held with stakes 
set around the four sides, and the two rows 
of stakes across the center. A man at ^'A*' 
sights across the held and a man at "B" 
sights across the held. A tree is to be set at 
"X." where the two lines of sight cross. The 
location of the balance of the trees can 
easily be found by this method of sight- 
ing. Some growers set the stakes for the 
entire field. Others merely set the stakes 
as shown above, and then sight on the tree 
and plant without setting any stakes except 
those around the held and two rows across. 
