The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-05
LAYING oUT ORCHARDs.
Laying Out with a Line.

H. Z. Van Deman: For small orchards
OF an acre or two, have often prac-
ticed a method of laying out in the
heXagonal style, which is very quickly
and easily done. AS many stakes are
provided as there are trees to be set
a wire is prepared Of the exact length
that the trees are to be apart, and a ring
or loop twisted in at each end, by
which to hold it. A base line is estab-
lished by setting stakes just where
each tree will be in the first rev. One
person CAD, slips a finger through one
ring, and another CB'O. takes the
other end of the wire and runs a small
stick through the ring. "A holds his
end exactly at stake l and 3D. steps to
where he supposes the first tree of the
second row will come, and with the
point of his stick makes a small seq
ment of a circle on the ground. He re-
mains there while "A" goes to stake
2 and holds his end exactly to it. 3D.
describes another arc on the ground,
and where it crosses the first one he
sets q stake, and moves to the place
for the next stake. There he makes a
mark. and "A then goes to stake 8
of the base line and holds the wire as
before. while "B" finds the crossing of
the marks and sets another stake: and
so on TO the end of the row. When the
second row is complete il is used as a
base line from which to make a third,
etc. etc If the work is done carefully
the stakes will be found to be in very
straight rows every way. I have tried
It on some of the toughest hills in
northern Michigan, where, in newly
cleared places the stumps were very
thick. and planted nice orchards that
are now over % years old that look to-
day as if the trees might have been set
nv 4 compass and chain. On level
ground free from distractions it is fun
to lay out an orchard so.
ANOTHER LINE METHOD.
Another cheap and handy method is.
to mark and set by wire long enough
TO reach entirely across the field. It
should be stretched tightly between
two stout stakes that have been driven
firmly in the ground, and exactly on
the line. of the first row to be planted.
Directly over the place for the first
tree or vine wrap a small wire two or
three times and twist the ends tightly,
so it cannot slip. Measure along the
wire to the next place and fasten an
other wire coil, and so on to the end.
If these little coils were Soldered fast
they could not move. a little piece of
bright cloth should be tied over them
that the places may be easily seen.
Now. dig the holes and plant the first
row While the WIRE IS IN pace linen
move the wire and stakes TO the second
row and stretch as before. being very
careful to have the first mark exactly
where the first tree should be. Proceed
to dig and plant as before Move the
wire TO the third row, and so on
throughout. This obviates all necessity
for marking off upon the ground; ex-
cept the distances between the rows
and a. starting point on each row. Some
of the most accurately planted orchards |
and vineyards I have ever seen were |
nlanted by this method at the North I
experiment station, at South |
ey.1 Pines. and elsewhere in that region. |
ana there 1 got the idea 1t is entirely !
practical The wire can be wound on a |
reel and thus be easily moved about |
the farm or stored for further use.