CHAPTER IX. 
IRRIGATION IN FIG CULTURE. 
In loealities where the rainfall is less than 25 inches during the 
rainy season irrigation is necessary. The fig tree, unlike most other 
trees, does not immediately show when it begins to suffer for want of 
water; at least it does not show it like other deciduous trees by the 
wilting and drooping of its leaves. In case the grower does not know 
when to supply water, the figs will be small and dry and be otherwise 
inferior. As soon as the fig tree begins to suffer from want of suffi- 
cient moisture in the soil it stops its growth. The terminal points of 
the branches will then suddenly cease to send out new leaves, and 
instead will begin to mature a bud. If this occurs during the grow- 
ing season it is a certain sign that the moisture has given out. In all 
localities where the figs can not keep on growing until the fruit matures 
irrigation must be resorted to. The right amount of irrigation, the 
time to give it, and the proper way to lead the water on the land must 
necessarily vary in different localities, and no rules applicable to all 
conditions can here be given. 
It may, however, be stated that the more water that can be given 
at once the deeper it will sink and the more the natural moisture will 
be imitated. Frequent irrigation will create surface roots and tend 
to keep the deeper ground dry. Flooding is not recommended, except 
in winter, as the winds are liable to overturn the trees; besides, heavy 
watering in summer or growing time does not imitate the natural 
rainfall and those other conditions under which the fig tree develops 
its fruit to the best advantage and greatest perfection. So faras pos 
sible all irrigation should be in the winter, when the effect upon the 
trees will be that of heavy rams only, provided no more water be 
given than the tree requires. Stagnant water and irrigation ditches 
do not tend to improve the fruit of the fig, and localities where such 
water prevails are unsuited to all figs. 
There are, however, a number of varieties which require moist 
ground in order to produce good fruit. This is the case especially 
with black varieties, which, with few exceptions, require more mois- 
ture than white figs. In the catalogue of figs at the end of this book 
the writer has noted the preference for moist or dry soil for all varieties 
as far as known. 
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