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FIG CULTURE IN VARIOUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 55 
growers disinter half of the trees at the end of February and the 
other half at the end of March, which secures them at least a par- 
tial crop. As soon as the branches are out of the soil the terminal 
buds on all the side branches which are to bear fruit are removed by 
pinching, either by hand or by shears. The fruit-bearing branches 
will at this time show the young figs alongside the leaf bud. All 
branches intended to bear the following season are pruned back to 
two or four eyes. The skill and experience of the cultivator is here 
exercised in the selection of the proper branches. 
REMOVING THE SIDE BUDS. 
A few days after the last operation, designed to push the side buds and 
the figs, another operation takes place, which consists in suppressing 
or removing the side buds. On every side branch about one-half or 
more of the leaf buds are removed, but one or two eyes closest to the 
base should always be left to form fruit branches for the next year. 
One bud is also left higher up on the branch. On the Blanquette 
variety this operation is performed as soon as the buds show signs 
of starting—on the Dauphine Violette only when they have attained 
three small leaves. Care should be taken that the young figs are not 
injured or even touched. If they are, they will not come to maturity. 
The two lowest buds are preserved to form fruit-bearing branches for 
another year, and the upper bud is left to draw sap. 
The terminal branches are similarly treated, with the difference, 
however, that the terminal bud is left, with two others lower down, to 
form future fruit branches, at a distance from each other of about 12 
inches. <A few days or weeks later, or when the remaining buds have 
grown out and formed small branches or spurs 2 or 5 inches 1n length, 
with a few leaves, they are cut from all lateral fruit branches, care 
being taken to leave one of the lowest as near fhe base as possible. 
The object in not removing them at once is to prevent the tree from 
being shocked and set back. After the last operation the branches 
will present this appearance: The terminal branches will have the 
terminal bud growing, with two more at equal distances lower down 
the stem; the side branches will have onfy one of the lowest buds 
growing and one near the top, which latter, however, should never 
be allowed to assume more than five leaves, which are sufficient to 
draw the sap; but in preserving these buds and branches it is impor- 
tant that only those on the outer or lateral surfaces of the branch 
be preserved. ‘The interior buds, if allowed to grow out, would be 
very difficult to cover with soil in winter. 
CARE DURING THE GROWING SEASON, 
After the buds have been removed the branches should be carefully 
arranged in such a way that they will touch one another as little as 
possible. This is accomplished by the aid of crotches or pegs, which 
