PROPAGATION OF THE FIG. 137 
lengths of from 3 to 4 feet. These large cuttings may be at once 
transferred to the orchard and planted directly where they are to 
remain. If this can not be done; these large cuttings may also be 
heeled in. This should be done immediately, and if possible the same 
day as cut. 
The small cuttings may be cut up at leisure in the shade. If they 
have been previously heeled in they should first be washed, as the soil 
will spoil the shears and retard the work generally. It is the most 
profitable to make three different grades of cuttings, all grades being 
cut at the same time. Have.the men sitting on low boxes or tripod 
chairs, each man with a pile of rough branches or large cuttings 
before him, and three boxes 
of different sizes at his side, 
these latter for the recep- 
tion of the newly made cut- 
tings. As arule the differ- 
ent sizes may be 12 to 14 
inches for the largest and 
thickest, 6 inches for the 
medium size, while the tips 
or shortest branches may be 
made 1 or 2 inches in length 
and serve as the smallest 
grade. Thetwo largest sizes 
should be placed in layers 
with the butt ends in the 
same direction. This is im- 
portant, as otherwise many 
of the cuttings will be plant- 
ed upsidedown. Thesmall 
tips may be thrown promis- 
cuously into the box. 
In making the cuttings it 
is necessary that the shears 
should be kept sharp, and a hone should always be handy for that pur- 
pose. Care should be taken to cut exactly at the joint, where there is 
no pith visible. By splitting a fig-cutting lengthwise it will be seen 
that the pith does not extend through the joint, but that there is a 
place in the joint where the wood is solid. (See fig. 19.) If the cut is 
made exactly in this solid part, both the bottom end of one cutting and 
the top end of the one below will be closed by solid, woody matter, and 
not exhibit any pith. The advantage gained is that the solid bottom 
end will root easier, while the top end will be protected from insect 
borers, which often work down through the pith from the point where 
it is exposed. The part of the cutting thus injured will dry and die. 
If the pith is not exposed, the borer can not make a ready entrance. 
e 
\ 
h, 
b, | 
Qa 
Fig. 19.—Fig cuttings: a showing the pith and nodes at 
the joints. 
