264 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



wherever the soil and climate will admit of their successful 

 propagation. 



THE FIG. 



The fig is among the earliest cultivated and most popu- 

 lar fruits. It existed in Paradise, and its fruit was 

 undoubtedly among the choicest that ministered to the 

 support of our first parents. We read of it in the oldest 

 historical writers, both sacred and profane ; and its popular- 

 ity has descended to the present day, wherever the soil and 

 climate admit of jts cultivation. 



It is readily propagated by suckers and cuttings, from 

 either roots or branches, or it may be grown from the seed. 

 It grows rapidly and with slight attention, but seldom reaches 

 a large size. From 20 to 25 feet in height and diameter, 

 may be deemed the average size of American trees ; but 

 they have been known elsewhere, when arrived at an advan- 

 ced age, to have doubled these dimensions. 



The Banyan Tree of India (Ficus benghalensis), that 

 propagates itself by dropping its extended branches to the 

 ground, where they take root, and themselves become new 

 trunks, for their further almost indefinite extension, till they 

 overspread acres, is a species of fig, bearing an edible fruit 

 of the size of a hickory nut. This and some other of the 

 species furnish a gum from their sap, somewhat resembling 

 caoutchouc or India rubber. 



The soil best suited to the fig, is light, rich and moist. 

 It is subject to few diseases and casualties, except from the 

 scorching effects of too hot a sun. It loves a moist climate, 

 and flourishes best in the neighborhood of the sea coast. 



The Jig is extensively cultivated in the Gulf States, and 

 grows luxuriantly in the open air, as far north as 36 ; and 

 I have seen some of the hardier kinds flourishing in the open 

 grounds near Baltimore. When protected by walls in sum- 

 mer and the trunks guarded properly in winter, it matures 

 its fruit in New York. Florida, southern Mississippi, Lou 

 isiana and Texas, may be considered its most productive 

 locality within the Union. Here it flourishes with scarcely 

 any attention, and is subject to few casualties or diseases 

 The fruit ripens from June to October, according to the soil, 

 situation, and the varieties reared. They usually pro 

 duce two crops hi one season, and in its most southerly habi 

 tat, three. The fruit pushes directly out from the branches 



