412 llEPOKT OF THE SECRETAKY OF THE 



On the sheets there are caught, besides the Curculio, a world 

 of worms, bugs, and ants, — especially a dark-colored lively 

 rascal among worms that eats into ends of the new growth. 



Not less important than the foregoing is judicious thinning 



of fruit. 



A. S. DYCKMAK 



OPEK-AIB FIG CULTUKE. 



On account of the uniformity of heat and moisture here, 

 on warm, rich, dry, sandy soils, the fig gi'ows with very little 

 care; indeed, I have never seen a curled or yellow leaf. Even 

 cuttings bear fruit the first season if taken from bearing 

 plants. These yield, however, but one crop the first season, and 

 the figs ripen nearly as soon as on the old plant ; because they 

 root so readilv. Even the fruit buds start with the leaf buds, 

 yet they have not sufficient strength at the same time to 

 develop fruit buds for a second crop the same season, as the 

 stronger plants do. 



The first crop ripens about the 1st of July, and the second 

 crop, the middle of September. Fresh figs are very rich, and 

 consequently perishable, but can be marketed if used the sec- 

 and day, or they can be dried or preserved. The foilage here 

 is free from insects or disease, and the w' ood ripens early. There 

 is no especial care necessary in their cultivation, except pro- 

 tection in winter. The easiest method I have found, is to take 

 them up in the fall and bury them in this manner: dig one 

 and lay it on its side in the hole where it was dug out, then 

 dig the next one, throwing the dirt on the first one dug, and 

 so on. Lift, prune, and set back in the spring. This does not 

 injure them nor keep them from fruiting, — even the small 

 green figs left on, mature the following season. The variety I 

 prefer, is the "White Marseilles or Fig of Commerce. 



n. E. BIDWELL. 



