Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-11-14

eide which plan to use according to
his particular conditions One system,
which is very good one, is the square
system, or one in which the rows are
running at right angles to each other
In this system tree is at each corner
of the square or rectangle. Now, If a
person desired to use filters also, by
placing tree in the center of each
square, he will about double the num-
have the so-called quincunx system.
The permanent trees, or the trees in
the square system should be at least
80 feet apart. as they will require all
of this area as they become older.
Another system often used Is the
Hexazonal or triangular system, in
which the trees are placed in equi-
lateral triangles rather than squares.
It puts all the adjacent trees equally
distant from each other, or each tree
is in the center and equally distant
from six others. If the trees were
| planted the same distance about as in
the square system, there would be
about Is per cent more trees to the
acre by the triangular system.
Still another method, used where
the ground Is steep and the soil is of
such a nature as to wash badly, is by
setting it out according to the contour
of the land. BY this method no reg
ular or straight rows are made, but
the rows simply follow the general
contour of the field Some orchards
are being set out now by this method
in West Virginia.
In setting out the varieties, 1t is not
well to set them in solid blocks. Those
varieties which bloom at about the
same date should be set SO that there
will be 4 or rows of one kind follow
ed by or rows of another kind In
this way, cross pollination OF the
fruit is assured, and much better set
OF fruit can be expected.
After the above operations have
been completed 1t remains to set the
trees and prune them properly Be
fore setting them, all broken and in
jured roots should be removed, and the
remaining ones cut back to from to
inches from the trunk. The first
6 or inches Of soil taken out Of
the hole should be placed back first
around the roots, as this Is naturally
more mellow, richer and In better ply
steal condition than the sub-soil The
soil should be worked around the roots
well to leave no air spaces, and should
be frmed down thoroughly. leaving il
mounded up so that the water will not
lay about the tree in the winter and
freeze.
The final thing to be done is to
prune the trees. This should be done
in the spring, and in case of one-year.
old apples, consists of merely cutting
the whips of at the height at which
the head is desired. A very good
height in this state is from 1923 inch.
es. In the case OF 2-year-olds, where
the heads are already formed, the
limbs should be thinned out to from
3-5 main ones evenly distributed
about the trunk with central leader
running up through them. These
should then be cut back to stubs oil
from 3"-5" long.
AS regards the relative merits of fan
and spring planting, there is much diff,
ference of opinion. The seasons have
a great deal to do with the success 81
failure in all cases.
Some of the advantages of fall plant
ing are:
1. The trees become established
during the fall and are ready to start
in the spriAg before the ground is
ready to allow spring planting.
2. Trees make better growth and
can Withstand droughts of summer
best as result,
8. More time in fall after work Is
done and orchard will be set more
carefully than in spring, when rush
| work is ON.
4. Can buy better trees, as there il
q better choice,
Disadvantages Of fall planting:
/. Trees are liable to be ding toe
early, thus being Immature.
3. II soil is not well drained and
other conditions favorable. injury may
result during the winter.
8. May be injured by mice.
4. Trees may be dried mp and In
jared by cold wiads Of winter.
5. Trees may be froze this frsiH
winter before they get start.