92 THE CANADIAN HOETICULTURTST. 



the wood has no blight or disease. Every other species of Jruit fycee 

 gives the grower a world, of trouble on account of these. Of these 

 facts all are too well aware. 



Common senge is quite as necessary in fig growing as elsewhere. 

 A correspondent informs me that he has a "fig tree with thirty five 

 sprouts. " What kind of an apple tree would that be ? He would have 

 to wait a long time for any apples, and then they would be "smaller 

 by degrees and beautifully less." Cut off all the sprouts but one, and 

 plant them, and "in the sweet by-and-by" you will have thirty five trees. 



The writer of a paper on the cultivation of the fig, (Department of 

 Agriculture Special Report No. 4,) speaking of fig raising iu the 

 Southern and Middle States, says, "There are few fruit trees with so little 

 trouble in their cultivation, that bear so abundantly or yield so much 

 for so little care as the fig." Again, " The fruit is so great a luxury 

 and so useful in so many ways, there is no reason why it should not 

 become a very considerable article of commerce, and thus add to the 

 wealth of the country. " 



If fig growing is so desirable for the Southern and Middle States, 

 the testimony of Gen. Worthington is direct to the point, and makes sure 

 the fact that fig growing is a success in our Northern States also. After 

 years of cultivating the fig in Ohio, he says: "It is quick grown, suits 

 our climate admirably, is easily protected, is a sure bearer, and very 

 prolific. The trees begin to bear when two years old, and when four 

 or five they produce from the same area, with less labor, a greater and 

 more certain crop than either potatoes or tomatoes. I like them best 

 fresh from the tree, and often breakfast on them. The' demand by the 

 fanuly is very great. The fig tree is eminently the fruit for the cottager 

 and villager, and when its merits and adaptability to our climate 

 become known, it will be as regularly grown for family use all over 

 * the Ohio valley as either the potato or tomato." And what is true of 

 that State is true of the whole north. 



In the Scriptures the vine and fig are very often mentioned in 

 connection ! (By the way, the fig will flourish where the vine grows.) 

 And I ask that all my readers will join with me in a very loud Laus 

 Deo at the near approach of the promised good time. (Micali 4 : 1 to 

 4.) When in all our broad land, north and south, "they shall sit every 

 man under his own vine and fig tree, and none shall make afraid;" 

 because all enjoy their God-given rights. 



