7 
DISEASES AND INSECT ENEMIES OF THE FIG. Wit 
SUNBURN. 
One of the commonest causes of diseases in fig trees is sunburn. 
This happens, however, only with young trees lately planted and 
before the new leaves and branches are sufficiently developed to 
shade the trunk of the tree. The effect of sun scald appears first at 
the collar close to the ground, later higher up, when the whole side 
of the trunk facing southwest may be found cracked and with peeling 
bark. This gives access to borers, prevents the proper circulation of 
sap, and greatly injures the tree in many ways. Sunburnt trees never 
recover their vigor and will always remain stunted. Sunburn may be 
prevented in various ways. One, of course, is in pruning the trees 
low or even allowing them to shoot out directly frem the collar below 
the ground. Such trees are never injured by heatand sun. But ifa 
higher standard be desired some other means are necessary for keep- 
ing the trunk shaded and cool. A newspaper tied to the trunk with 
common cotton yarn is, according to the experience of the writer, the 
best and cheapest tree protector. The yarn will never cut the tree as. 
heavier rope will and the paper will gradually fall off just at the time 
when the leaves of the tree are large enough to shade the trunk. 
Medicated tree protectors should be experimented with before being 
generally used, as they sometimes contain chemicals strong enough 
to kill the trees, or at least to injure them more than sun and wind 
combined. 
FROST. 
Fig trees are easily frosted, especially when caught by the frost 
with their sap in full cireulation, and while in full leaf. 
In northern climates the old trees as well as the young trees are 
injured by frost, but in warmer regions like California it is the young 
trees only which occasionally suffer. Young trees may, through 
unfavorable conditions, be greatly injured by frosts in several succes- 
Sive years, but when at last successfully raised to the age of 4 or 
5 years they will generally be hardy enough to withstand heavier 
frosts even than those which injured them while young. It is there- 
fore unwise to say that such and such variety is not suited to any 
certain locality simply because it was for several years after planting 
cut back or down by frosts. This very variety, as has been repeatedly 
observed, may in the future be perfectly hardy and profitable. In 
San Joaquin Valley, California, for instance, the Adriatics were gen- 
erally injured and even killed by frosts when they were first intro- 
duced. As the trees grew older no ill effects were visible after equally 
heavy frosts. 
The injury done by frost shows itself in blackened and withering 
shoots which die back more or less. In severe cases the bark of the 
tree becomes black and rots, especially on the south side, where the 
sun strikes the frosted parts first and most. Smaller trees may be 
