146 THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
TREATMENT. 
The scion is tirmly tied with cotton twine, and the upper surface of 
the stock as well as the lower part of the scion must be well covered 
with grafting wax in order to fully exclude air, rain, damp, and wind. 
After growth has begun, all the eyes of the scions should be allowed 
to grow for several months, -but when they get to be too large and 
when there will be danger of the grafts being blown or broken off, 
the new, young, green wood must be cut back in such a way as to 
steady the graft. The growing branches of the graft must be tied 
to stout stakes, two, three, or more of which are required at every 
tree. (See fig. 27.) If the growing branches of the grafts are not tied 
securely they will with certainty blow off or break off by their own 
weight. These stakes must re- 
main during the whole first 
year. When the scions have 
grown and attained one year 
the large or small branches of 
the original stock which were 
or grafted, if necessary. After 
the scions have started to grow 
well itis necessary to cut open 
the strings with which the cleft 
vas tied, or they will cut into 
the wood. Then new strings 
are tied and new wax is put on 
as before. The cutting back 
of green wood and branches 
should be done gradually. 
PROTECTION FROM SUNBURN. 
Fia. 24.—Fig tree just grafted. One branch is left 
to draw the sap. The,straw covering to pro- It is of the utmost impor- 
eee cn ceed ome ee tanee that the trunk of the old 
fig tree or stock should be covered with tule or flag, or otherwise pro- 
tected, on the south and west sides, or sun, wind, and borers will ruin 
the tree. The fig, while a tropical tree, will not stand the exposure 
of its bark to the sun or wind, except in winter. It shares this pecul- 
iarity with most evergreen trees. (See fig. 26.) 
SHIPPING CUTTINGS. 
Fig cuttings are much less susceptible of being damaged in shipping 
than tig trees with large, developed roots. If accidentally injured 
by drying, they may be revived more readily than fig trees or most 
other kinds of cuttings. In shipping long distances great care should 
be taken in proper packing. If properly packed fig cuttings may be 
left to draw sap may be cut off . 
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