244 CULTIVATION OF THE FIG-TEEE ITNDEK GLASS. 



presents an abundance of short-jointed well-ripened shoots, at 

 the extremities of which the first crop for next year will be 

 produced. 



In the course of treatment pursued I have arrived at the fol- 

 lowing conclusions : — 



1st. That the recommendations of old authors with rearard to 

 making borders for tliis tree are unnecessary, as the largest trees 

 are capable of growing in tlie least imaginable quantity of earth 

 upon a well-drained hillock of brickbats and old mortar rubbish, 

 or on natural rocks. 



2ndly. That although generally considered a gross feeder, 

 soft pond-water in copious supply during the swelling of the 

 fruit seems to contain enough of nutritive matter for its demands, 

 as trees treated to the often recommentied and potent liquid 

 manure have not produced figs equal in size to those I am 

 speaking of. But be it remembered that I speak not of cold 

 spring-water from a pump, but of that from a stagnant pond, 

 softened and chilled by exposure, and presenting an almost 

 gelatinous appearance from the multitude of animalculm with 

 which it is teeming. 



3rdly. One difficulty presents itself in the cultivation of figs 

 which I have at last triumphed over. It is well known that the 

 foliage is much subject to the attacks of red spider (Arurus 

 telurius), and syringing sharply to keep this pest in subjection is 

 necessary ; but after the fruit has advanced to its last stage of 

 swelling, dryness is indispensable to its perfection : bright solar 

 light and an arid atmosphere are the conditions essential to pro- 

 duce well-ripened figs, and the red spider must be kept down by 

 applying sulphur to the flues, or any surface upon which the sun 

 can shine and cause its fumes to be exhaled. So tender is the 

 skin, and such is the disposition of ripe figs to mouldiness, that 

 every vestige of moisture must be avoided during the ripening 

 period ; although the root-watering must not cease, it slioiild 

 only be done early in the morning, when the dampness arising 

 from it is soon dispelled by the admission of air. 



4thly. There is no fruit more benefited than this by full ex- 

 posure to light. To insure this it would not be wise to strip off 

 the leaves to some extent, as I have seen practised, but rather in 

 pruning to preserve only that amount of foliage which can 

 perform its allotted functious properly. Those who would secure 

 the happy medium between luxuriance and languor must have 

 the roots under control. 



Sthly. The finest figs, and the greatest quantity of them, are 

 produced at the extremities of the longest branches : to increase 

 the amount of such space is most desirable. The fig-tree in 

 question, after reaching the top of the house, is incurved under 



