THE FIG TREE ] 129 



In good soils where the fig tree is expected to attain 

 full size, the distance from tree to tree should not be 

 less that six metres. Adult trees in good situations 

 often spread their branches for five metres or more 

 around the trunk, but on poor soils or in exposed 

 situations a distance of four to five metres will be 

 sufficient. It is always desirable to train the tree as 

 standard on a single stem. Trees so trained are more 

 productive, are more easily manageable, and do not 

 encumber the surface of the ground in a manner as to 

 exclude the cultivation of catch crops during winter, and 

 also in summer if there are facilities for irrigation. 



CULTIVATION. The fig tree is not at all exigent as 

 regards cultivation. No manure is required beyond that 

 supplied to the soil for the cultivation of catch crops. 

 The ground should be weeded and kept clean in order 

 not to draw too much on its resources, both as regards 

 nourishment and moisture. One good digging towards 

 the end of March or in April is sufficient. The fig tree 

 thrives well without watering, and accordingly, it is 

 never purposely watered except for the first year or two 

 when newly planted. However where the ground is 

 irrigated in connection with other cultivations, the fig 

 tree grows luxuriantly and fruits heavily, often producing 

 five fruits or more on each twig, although the fruit may 

 not be of the same luscious quality as when grown on 

 unirrigated land. 



Pruning is necessary to correct the drooping 

 tendency of the tree, and its habit of producing too many 

 twigs. The lower drooping branches are often too 

 much shaded off by the upper ones, and therefore become 

 unproductive, besides being in the way for the proper 

 cultivation of the soil; and the thinning out of the upper 

 branches and twigs is indispensable to admit air and 

 light and to favour the proper development of the fruit. 

 The fig tree is pruned in winter, during the period when 

 it is leafless. Pruning is performed every two years, but 

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