1869. ] 



THE POT-CULTURE OP FIGS. 53 



should not be allowed to carry knives in summer ; meaning that they are apt to 

 use them too freely when trees are growing, and too sparingly while they are at 

 rest. I may have mentioned before in these pages, that sickly trees may be 

 restored to health by allowing them to grow wild for a season. The more abun- 

 dant foliage which this mode of treatment secures, furnishes from the atmosphere 

 a more copious supply of nutriment to the roots. 



Cossey Pari. J. Wighton. 



THE POT-CULTURE OF FIGS. 



)EOPEELY managed, Fig Trees in pots produce fruit in greater abundance, 

 and of a richer flavour than those that are planted out, for, the Fig being 

 a gross feeder, it is difficult, under the latter conditions; to restrict the 

 action of the roots, while plants in pots are perfectly under the con- 

 trol of the cultivator. With a collection of Figs in pots, a day will very rarely 

 pass, from June to Christmas, on which ripe Figs cannot be gathered ; in Septem- 

 ber, October, and November they will be abundant, that being the ripening sea- 

 son of the second crop of the early varieties, and the first crop of the late ones. 



The Fig thrives best in good yellow loam, on a chalky or dry gravelly 

 subsoil ; but for pot cultivation the soil must be somewhat richer. The follow- 

 ing answers admirably : — two-thirds good yellow loam to one-third lime or brick 

 rubbish, with a liberal addition of rotten manure and burnt ashes. The same 

 mixture may be used for potting the plants in all stages of growth. 



Figs may be produced on quite small plants in 5-in. pots. The most eligible 

 size, however, and the largest that need be used, is the 12 -in. pot ; for as much 

 fruit can be grown in a pot of this size as in any others. Young plants should 

 be repotted early in spring into larger pots, giving them liberal drainage. They 

 must be induced to grow on freely. After they have attained to a fair size, so as 

 to bear fruit freely, and have been shifted into the largest-sized pot allowed, it 

 will be sufficient, instead of repotting, to take the plants out of the pots while 

 at rest, and after shaking off most of the old soil, and shortening the roots 

 considerably, in the same way as is practised with Pelargoniums, to repot them 

 in pots of the same size ; or, in other cases, a very good plan is to pick away a 

 great portion of the surface soil, roots and all, say, half-way down the pot, and 

 to refill with fresh soil. In this way they may be grown in the same pots for 

 years. During the summer the plants will derive much benefit from frequent 

 top-dressings of manure, mixed Avith a little loam. 



While in a growing state, Figs require a great deal of water ; indeed, when 

 the pots are well drained, and filled with roots, they can scarcely get an over- 

 supply ; and they are even benefited at times by placing the pots in shallow pans 

 of water. Manure-water may also be applied with advantage two or three times 

 a week, when the plants are swelling off their fruit. When, however, the fruit is 

 ripening, water must be applied more sparingly, as an overdose then is very apt 



