CHAP. VIII VILLA CtAEDENINCt 279 



Transplanting. — Figs of any age and size may be moved, if 

 done carefully, without sacrificing a crop, A^jril being the best month 

 for the work. Trees making gross, unfertile wood may have their 

 roots lifted then and brought near the surface, using the compost 

 recommended in what I have said on the preparation of the 

 borders. It may be advisable in transplanting or lifting large old 

 trees, involving some sacrifice of the roots, to prune the branches 

 rather severely for the special pm-pose of making openings for laying 

 in the new short-jointed wood which will result from placing the 

 roots under better conditions. 



Watering. — In dry weather this will be necessary in hot 

 summers when the fruits are swelling rapidly, and, as I have already 

 hinted, liquid manure and mulching will be of advantage. The 

 young wood should be nailed in close to the wall as it progresses 

 to keep it from shading the swelling, ripening fruits, and also to 

 facilitate the ripening of the wood by bringing it into contact with 

 the warm face of the wall. 



Propagation. — Though Figs may be raised from seeds, layers, 

 suckers, and cuttings, the best way of increasing established 

 kinds is by cuttings of ripened young wood taken ofi^ with a heel 

 of that which is older. These may be from 8 to 10 inches long, 

 and should be planted firmly in sandy loam under a handlight, 

 where during the winter protection can be given, A better plan 

 would be to plant the cuttings in pots and place in the greenhouse 

 or a vinery, or some such place. The cuttings should be taken as 

 soon as the leaves fall in autumn. They will make nice little well- 

 rooted plants in a year. Figs are often propagated by layers, i.e. 

 by bringing some of the branches down to the ground, and, after 

 notching them near a joint, pegging them into the soil or heaping 

 it over them, in wliich position they must remain till rooted. 

 Eaisiug Figs from seeds is not much practised, as the seedlings 

 vary a good deal in character. Plants obtained from suckers are 

 not equal to those from cuttings or layers, being much longer in 

 coming into bearing, and never altogether losing that gross un- 

 fertile habit which is attached to their nature. Cuttings taken 

 from a fruiting part of a tree are always better than if taken from 

 the roots. 



Varieties. — The best varieties for open-air culture are Brown 

 Turkey, a very abundant bearer, the tree being hardy and liealthy, 

 and also good under glass, forcing well ; Brunswick, perhaps a 

 trifle less prolific than the preceding, but yet an excellent Fig ; 

 White Marseilles, a round fruit of good quality. 



