2 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



inches in depth in order to break thoroughly through the phiw-pan or 

 erust. After the ground is well pulverized, dig holes a depth of: from 

 eighteen to twenty inches. 



The best time for planting fig trees is in the months of February and 

 March. When planting, go over your nursery stock and cut the trees 

 to a uniform length of two feet from the cutting joints. This will 

 allow the trees to branch or fork twenty inches above the ground, which 

 is the only proper way. Wax the tips to seal the sap of the trees and 

 prevent their drying, then plant so that at least three inches of the 

 cutting joint is down in the soil. It is very important that the fig tree, 

 when being planted, should not be unduly exposed. When the trees are 

 taken from the nursery bed, they should be kept in a barrel of water 

 and taken out one by one in the course of planting, as the trees can not 

 stand more than ten minutes' exposure to the cold wind or the hot sun. 



Fig. 1. — The Smyrna fig tree develops best when headed low so that the top 

 shades the trunk and protects it from the sun. (Original.) 



The fig tree fibers are as fine as hair and can be easily dried up by this 

 exposure. After planting the tree, water it thoroughly to settle the 

 earth around the roots and shut out the air, using at least ten gallons of 

 w'ater to a tree. The same precaution should be taken while the trees 

 are hilled in the nursery bed. Do not neglect to do this or even wait 

 until you get ready for irrigation, as many trees have dried up in the 

 course of three or four weeks without water. Then use either a tree 

 protector or redwood stakes four feet long to brace the trees. Drive 

 the stakes on the southwest side and tie the tree to the stake. These 

 stakes not only brace the trees, but they protect them from the severe 

 frost and from the hot afternoon sun which usually follows the frost. 

 I have found from personal experience that in all cases the effect of 

 injury from frost appears on the southwest side of the trees. 



