Vol. XIX. Part 12 DECEMBER 2, 1908. 



Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. 



Forestry. 



Some Practical Notes ox Porestry suitable por New 



South Wales. 



[Continued from page 796.] 



J. H. maiden, 

 Government Botanist and Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney. 



XIX — continued. 

 Trees other than Conifers and Palms : 

 The Figs (Ficus), 



Moracese. 



AVk how come to the genus Ficus or Fig, so called from the best known species 

 •of the genus Ficus Garica, the edible Fig, 



The Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa), is illustrated and described in 

 Parts i and xx of my " Forest Flora of New South Wales," in which work 

 will appear all the New 8outh Wales ones in due course. 



Many of the Figs have fruits which are eaten by birds and animals, and 

 a few by human beings. Some of them contain caoutchouc (india-rubber) 

 in their sap. Speaking generally, this substance is a tropical product, and 

 the most likely portion of New South Wales for success with rubber- 

 producing species is the north-eastern corner (Clarence to Tweed), but 

 experimental work in this direction in New South Wales is only in its 

 infancy at present. 



Figs are very useful trees for the warmer parts of this State, as a number 

 of them flourish in the poorest soil, and are so tenacious of life that they may 

 be hacked into shape with impunity. They, indeed, as a class, stand bad 

 treatment to an extent which is fatal to the majority of trees. Many of 

 them are hemi-epiphytes, that is to say, they spend at least a portion of their 

 existence on or embracing other plants, not, however, penetrating their 

 tissues as parasites do. 



Figs are propagated readily enough from seed when one can get it good. 

 For example, it is easy enough to propagate F. macropfu/lla in that way ; 

 F. ruhiginosa (Port Jackson Fig) is rather uncertain, and F. Cunninghamii 

 is very uncertain. F. Bennettii produces fruit every year in Sydney, but 

 not a single seed in it has been seen so far. 



Figs in general are propagated from layers and cuttings, l)ut to make a 

 success of the work requires the technical skill and appliances of the 

 nurseryman. 



I am specially indebted to jVIr. George Harwood, Superintendent, Botanic 

 Gardens, Sydney, for Aahiable infoi'ination in regard to some of the Figs 

 A 



