128 [ THE Fio TREE 



Cuttings of the fig tree root with the greatest ease, 

 and this is the most popular method of propagation. 

 Cuttings can be taken at any time from midsummer 

 until spring. When meant to be planted where they 

 are to remain, it is better to select cuttings about 30 c.m. 

 long, removing the lateral spurs or shoots if they have 

 any. The cuttings are planted in a somewhat slanting 

 position, leaving only about 5 c.m. of the branch with its 

 terminal bud above the ground, and pressing down the 

 soil firmly around it. Cuttings planted at midsummer 

 should be stripped of their leaves as soon as they are cut 

 from the tree, and should not be allowed to remain long 

 exposed to the air before planting ; they also require to 

 be watered liberally soon after planting, and subsequently 

 should be watered regularly every week or ten days 

 until the ground becomes well soaked with the first rains. 

 Cuttings planted in summer as a rule root at once, and 

 push out new growth within a week or two after planting, 

 and usually become well rooted and established before 

 winter. 



Cuttings intended for planting out in nursery beds 

 or in pots should not be more than 10 to 15 c.m. long, 

 cutting them off across a node or with a heel of the old 

 wood, stripping them of their leaves, if the operation is 

 done in summer. Straight spurs proceeding out of the 

 old wood make ideal cuttings. They are planted deeply, 

 leaving only about 3 c.m. with the terminal bud above 

 the soil, and in a year or two they will be strong enough 

 to be transferred to their final destination with a ball of 

 earth, if transplanted in summer, or without it if trans- 

 planting is done when they are leafless. 



Fig trees can be budded at any time from March 

 to September ; grafting is best done in February or 

 March. Budding is generally preferred as it involves less 

 risk, and also on account of the facility of budding high 

 up enough to ensure a tall stem which would compensate 

 for the naturally drooping habit of the branches. 



