1 86 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



but in lessened quantity. If more vigour and larger fruit are desired substitute nitrate 

 of soda for the sulphate of magnesia and chloride of soda 



Top-dressing. Trees bearing heavy crops of fruit in pots and narrow borders require 

 a liberal surface dressing of rich compost when they are in active growth, and the first 

 crop of fruit fairly set. Equal parts of turfy loam about the size of a hen's egg and 

 fresh horse-droppings, with a quart of steamed bone-meal, 2 quarts of wood ashes, and 

 2 quarts of small charcoal to every bushel of loam used, the whole well mixed, answer 

 well. The roots spread through it quickly, and when these become matted, another top- 

 dressing should be applied. Strips of turf may be pinned around the edges of pots, or 

 pieces of zinc 4 inches wide placed within the rims for raising the top-dressing above the 

 pots. The roots of the fig feast on the rich fare, and the fruit is well nourished. Eenew 

 the top-dressing for the second-crop fruits. 



Mulching. This is only another form of top-dressing, partially decayed stable or 

 farmyard manure being employed to assist planted-out trees in dry periods in swelling 

 their crops. Trees outdoors only require it when fruitful, and in restricted rooting 

 area, applying it when the fruit is fairly set. Trees under glass should be mulched for 

 the second as well as the first crop, having the material rather lumpy and about 2 inches 

 thick. 



Watering. The fig is a gross feeder, and requires an adequate supply of water, but 

 outdoor trees only need watering in dry seasons, whilst the fruit is swelling, a too moist 

 soil prejudicing the crop when ripening. Trees in properly constructed borders under 

 glass should never lack water whilst in growth, especially during the swelling of the 

 crops ; but when the fruit is ripening, water must be applied to the roots more sparingly, 

 as an excess of moisture then is apt to impair the flavour and cause the fruits to split. 

 Trees in pots can scarcely have too much water when the crops are swelling. But it 

 should be gradually reduced when the fruits show signs of ripening, giving no more 

 than is necessary to keep the leaves in a healthy condition ; the fruits will then ripen per- 

 fectly without prejudice to the second crop. As soon as the first crop is gathered give 

 water freely until the second crop commences ripening ; then keep the soil rather dry 

 till the foliage matures. Whilst the trees are at rest, even in pots, they only need 

 moisture in the soil to prevent the shrinking of the wood. 



Protecting in Winter. Except in favoured places in the south of England, as well as 

 the seaboard in other localities, protection must be given to fig trees, otherwise they 

 may be killed to the ground in severe winters, especially those following a wet summer. 



