On considerable slopes, to prevent the wash of soil, the plants should be placed as close as possible, say 3½ feet between and 2 feet in the lines.

A closely planted garden will grow less weeds than a widely planted one, and will consequently be cheaper to work.

As the expenditure on a garden is in direct proportion to the area, and the yield in direct proportion to the number of plants (always supposing there is power enough in the soil to support them), it follows that a closely planted garden must be very much more profitable than the reverse.

Hybrid plants grow to a larger size than Chinese, and should therefore have more room.

The following is a useful table:—

Table showing the Plants to an Acre, and the Area one lakh of seedlings will cover, at the distances named.

Distances in feet Square ft. to each plant Plants in one acreThe area in acres one lakh of seedlings will cover Remarks
6 by 6 36 1,210 82½ Too wide for any plants.
6 „ 5 30 1,452 69
6½ „ 4 26 1,675 59¾
5 „ 5 25 1,742 57½
6 „ 4 24 1,815 55
6 „ 3½ 21 2,074 48 For Hybrids, but still I think too wide.
5 „ 4 20 2,178 45½
6 „ 3 18 2,420 41¼ Good distances for Hybrids.
4 „ 4 16 2,722 36¾
5 „ 3 15 2,904 34½
4 „ 3 12 3,630 27½ Chinese for early return.
3½ „ 3½ 12¼ 3,555 28 Chinese.
3½ „ 3 10½ 4,148 24
6 „ 3¼ 19½ 2,233 44¾ Hybrid.
5 „ 3¼ 16¼ 2,726 36¾ Chinese.
5 „ 3½ 17½ 2,489 40
3½ „ 2 7 6,223 16 Best distance for Chinese on steep slopes.

On flat lands I advise—

Hybrid, if high-class4 × 3½ or 4½ × 4
Chinese3 × 3