FIGS. 263 



reasonably have been expected in three seasons, and the 

 following year, and every year thereafter, these awakened 

 trees bore heavy crops of fruit. 



A cutting placed in permanent position, with the ground 

 properly prepared and suitable after-treatment given, will 

 outstrip a transplanted fig tree, as a general rule. 



Wherever the future tree is to stand and if there is 

 clay near the surface so much the better a hole three feet 

 in diameter and two feet deep should be excavated, the 

 top soil thrown to one side, the subsoil to another ; then a 

 compost of muck, forest leaves, and stable or hen manure, 

 or some commercial fertilizer, should be thoroughly incor- 

 porated with the top soil and the hole filled in and tightly 

 packed with this mixture. If the compost is moist, as it 

 should be, the fig cutting may be thrust down, sloping, in 

 the center of the spot thus prepared, the earth packed 

 firmly around it (in this last lies the secret of successful 

 rooting), a mulch of leaves or grass placed around it, a 

 tall stick or two driven down alongside as a guard, and the 

 work is done. Should there be a long dry spell after 

 planting, then, but not otherwise, the cuttings should be 

 watered. 



Before long, buds will develop and the young tree will 

 grow right along, beginning to bear in its second or third 

 year, and continuing to do so for a life-time or more. 



The time is not far distant when our people will awake 

 to the true value of the fig, whether sliced with sugar and 

 cream as a table fruit, as a preserve, as a sweet pickle, or 

 as a dried or shipping fruit. 



Wherever fresh figs are placed on sale in the Florida 

 cities and towns, they sell readily at from ten to twenty 

 cents a quart, and even if the local price should fall to 

 five cents a quart, there would be still a handsome profit 

 for the grower. 



