BUDS, BLOOM, AND EARLY BIRD 



Fruit 



Outdoor Figs. — The present is a good period for prun- 

 ing and training Figs on open walls. Figs are not grown 

 in many gardens, and where they are, they are generally 

 left to take care of themselves. The straggling old trees 

 seem very happy without attention, as, indeed, they 

 probably are. They have found something which they 

 like underground, and so they spread in all directions, 

 bearing a little fruit sometimes by way of showing that 

 they can do it if they like, but for the most part sprawling 

 about in light-hearted enjoyment of life. They like to 

 grow in a sheltered angle between walls, and their 

 favourite place is near a doorway, as they can thrust 

 unexpected shoots across it at short notice, and slap the 

 faces of unwary visitors who enter hurriedly. The Figs 

 enjoy this most in wet weather. The owner can control 

 them if he likes, and the way to set about it is to cut all 

 the old straggling shoots out entirely, then to select just 

 as many of the previous year's growths as can be trained 

 to the wall without overlapping each other when in full 

 leaf, and nail them in, like Peach shoots. The most 

 sportive old Fig may be reduced to subjection by these 

 means. The shoots trained in ought to bear fruit the 

 same year, but the grower had better not take into his 

 calculations any fruits that were formed in autumn, and 

 are now hanging on the trees. These " flatter only to 

 deceive." They are sure to fall later on, but fresh ones 

 will come, and will probably swell and ripen. 



Does the mention of Figs suggest to some reader who 



is now Figless that he would like to have a tree in his 



garden ? Then let him plant one now. Any fruit 



nurseryman will supply him at no great cost. I advise 



103 



Feb. 

 15-28 



