F IG 



225 



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FIG 



ance. For covering the fig in winter, the latter pirt of February ; but this is 

 a double thickness of old mats is advis- a very trifling operation wliere they 

 able, with a little mulching; a wide have been properly attended to in sum- 

 coping on the wall is very essential, mer, being only to cut out here and 

 and a canvas covering drawn over them [ there a superfluous shoot, or to shorten 

 at night in the early part of their growth ' one back to any naked or unfurnished 

 is of great benefit to them." — Gard. ' part, in order to procure a supply of 

 Chron. \ young shoots. Then have the whole 



The Mode of Bearing is very pecu- forked over between the trees, giving 

 liar, and influences the pruning, or them a good watering. Small fires are 

 rather non-pruning, which is to be pre- then to be lighted, keeping the tem- 

 ferred. The fig, observes Mr. Loudon, perature at 50°, and syringing morning 

 *' bears, and in warmer climates brings and evening with tepid water. Air is 

 to maturity in every year, two succes- to be given plentifully in fine weather, 

 sive and distinct crops of fruit, each and when the fruit begins to grow, the 

 crop being produced on a distinct set temperature raised to 5o^, then to 60^, 

 of shoots. The shoots formed by the and so on progressively about the same 

 first or spring sap put forth figs at every as for vines. For the first six or seven 

 eye as soon as the sap begins to flow weeks water only in such quantities to 

 again in .)uly and August. These figs keep the soil moderately moist, but 



(which fi)rm the second crop of the 

 year) ripen, in their native climate. 



afterwards more freely. 



" When the fruit is about half grown, 



during the course of the autumn ; but commence watering freely every morn- 

 rarely if ever come to perfection in ing, and generally about twice a week, 

 England ; where, though they cover with liquid manure. As soon as the 

 the branches in great abundance at the young shoots have attained the length 

 end of that season, they perish and fall , of four or five inches, their points are 

 off w-ith the first severe frosts of winter, to be pinched out; this shoot is the 

 The shoots formed by the second flow < second crop wood' for the latter part 

 of sap, commonly called midsummer of summer or autumn, according as the 

 shoots, put forth figs in like manner at forcing was commenced early or late, 

 every eye, but not until the first flow of During the growth of the second crop 

 sap in the following spring. These last of fruit, the tree produces a second 

 mentioned figs, which form the first shoot from three to six inches long, 



crop of each year, ripen in warmer 

 climates during the months of June and 

 July, but not in this country before 

 September or October." — Enc. Gard 



which, w-hen properly ripened, contains 

 the crop in the embryo state through 

 the winter for the following spring. A 

 short time before the first crop of fruit 



Fig-House. — If a hot-house be de- is ripe, the watering overhead is dis- 

 voted to this fruit, as it well deserves, continued and abundance of air given, 

 good proportions, according to Mr. As soon as practicable, the watering 

 Markham, arc " thirty-three feet long, overhead is to be resumed in every part 

 fourteen feet wide, and eleven feet of the house where the fruit is not ap- 

 high at the back, trellised with wire proaching maturity. The succession of 

 two inches from the wall. The trees fruit generally lasts about four months, 

 on this wall to be fan-trained ; the roots , " The winter management is merely 

 walled in as recommended for the open to keep the borders moderately dry, 

 wall, excepting that the spaces are to and to prevent frost from entering." — 

 be narrower, being two feet wide and Gard. Chron. 



two and a half deep ; the patli leading Forcing in Pots. — " For this pur- 

 thro'ugh the house to rest on this parti- pose," says Mr. Markham," the plants 

 tion wall. Between this path and the should be examined as early in the au- 

 front, may be a border for small stand- tumn or winter as possible, and those 

 ards and circular-trained trees, ranging plants that have got their roots much 

 from three to five feet high, all walled matted together should have them re- 

 in with rough stones, for the same pur- duced, and potted in sweet maiden 

 pose as already stated. The sorts may loam, ready for the spring-forcing in 

 be the Nerii ; Brown Ischia ; large January or February, as they may be 

 White Genoa ; and Kennedy's Fig, but wanted. The pots should be plunged 

 the greater part the Nerii. Prune in in a half-spent tan or leaf bed, either in 

 15 



