488 CULTURE OF THE FIG UNDER GLASS. 



that the fruit may acquire a high flavour through the operation of the 

 sun's rays, to facilitate the action of which on the fruit, the superflu- 

 ous leaves are removed. By this practice, plants begun to be forced 

 in December commonly produce ripe cherries in February, and some- 

 times even in January, though without a good flavour. 



It must be borne in mind, that the atmosphere in Prussia, and on 

 the Continent generally, is much clearer than in Britain, and that 

 there are few days when the sun during the short time in which he is 

 above the horizon does not shine brightly. Hence as far as light is 

 concerned in forcing, the British gardener can never contend with the 

 German one. 



Culture of the Fig under Glass. 



The fig (Ficus Carica, L.) is a native of Asia and the sea-coast of 

 Africa, and it is cultivated on the shores and islands of the Mediterra- 

 nean, in Italy, and in the south of France ; but, like the olive, never far 

 from the sea-side, or at great elevations. The soil is generally light, 

 but resting on a subsoil which is supplied with water within the 

 reach of the roots. It would thus appear that the fig is not intended 

 by nature to endure a severe winter, a great degree of drought, or a 

 very hot summer ; and this conclusion is in accordance with the suc- 

 culence of its wood, the retention of young fruit on its shoots throughout 

 the winter, and its broad succulent leaves. The spring and summer 

 temperature suitable for the grape vine has been found to answer for 

 the fig, but the latter requires a moister atmosphere, and more water 

 at the root when in a growing state, and the temperature should not 

 be below 40 during winter. It is the nature of the fig to produce 

 two crops in the year, both when it is cultivated in the open air, and 

 when it is under glass. The first crop, which is produced on the 

 points of the shoots of the last year, ripens in Italy in May and June ; 

 and on the walls in the climate of London iii September and October. 

 The second crop is produced on the shoots of the current year, and 

 ripens in Italy in October ; but in the open air in this country it never 

 ripens at all, excepting a few of small size, which remain on through 

 the winter, and constitute the first crop, just mentioned, of the follow- 

 ing summer. Under glass, the first crop ripens at various periods 

 between March and June, according to the time of commencing to 

 force ; and the second crop, which in the open air never attains 

 maturity, is under glass that which is most to be depended on. The 

 first crop under glass ripens in four or five months from the time of 

 commencing to force, and the second crop in six or eight months. The 

 fruit of the fig is what is called a common receptacle for the flowers, 

 but turned up in a turbinate or top shape, so as to enclose the florets 

 and completely exclude them from view. The fig, both in fig countries 

 and in British gardens, is apt to drop its fruit prematurely ; and in 

 Italy and Greece the process of caprification is employed to counteract 

 this tendency. It consists in placing among the branches of cultivated 

 fig-trees, branches of the wild fig, or even fruit that has dropped off 

 wild trees, in which a kind of gnat abounds, and which enters the fruit 



