FIGSSTRUC TURES. 



189 



air ought to be admitted freely, and after the first leaves attain nearly full size the 

 sun heat should be husbanded by early closing, following with free ventilation when 

 the fruits are ripening. 



Atmospheric Moisture. Figs, while growing, delight in a humid atmosphere. Out- 

 doors, as a rule, they have enough, often too much, for the production of fruit. In 

 unheated houses little atmospheric moisture is needed in the early stages of growth 

 and none after the fruit changes for ripening. It is sufficient to damp the border and 

 paths in the morning, syringing the trees early in the afternoon of fine days when 



E 





Fig. 60. THREE -QUARTER SPAN-ROOFED (section through H2, ground plan, p. 71, Vol. I.), AND LEAN-TO FIG HOUSE. 



(Scale : |-inch =1 foot.) 



References: E, three-' marter span-roofed house ; u, rain-water tank- walls built in cement, cemented inside, 

 and covered with flags forming the path, v ; w, concrete ; x, drains ; y, drainage ; s, borders ; a, outside border, for 

 use if necessary after the inside is occupied with roots ; b, opening in wall to let the roots outside, but closed till 

 wanted ; c, 4-inch hot-water pipes (half only if the trees are not forced early) ; d, front lights ; e, top lights ; /, trellis 

 15 inches from the glass ; g, front trees trained up the roof ; h, back trees trained down the roof. F, lean-to 

 house, 12 feet wide inside ; i, concrete, or bricks laid flat run with cement ; j, 3-inch tile drains ; k, rubble 1 foot 

 thick ; I, a 3-inch layer of chalk or old mortar rubbish ; m, borders ; n and 1, 4-inch hot-water pipes (n, only if the 

 trees are not forced early) ; o, front lights ; p, top lights ; q, front trellis r, fronl trees ; s, back wall, wired a bad posi- 

 tion ; t, wall trees ; u, training down the roof best method for strong-growing varieties ; v, feeding by turves on 

 borders a good system ; w, path. 



they are in full growth in cool houses. In heated structures, and where a high 

 temperature is maintained, the trees should be syringed twice or thrice a day in hot 

 weather, but must by no means be kept dripping wet, and the last syringing must be done 

 sufficiently early in the afternoon to allow of the trees becoming dry before night. The 

 paths and all surfaces should be kept moist, and the brighter the sunshine the oftener the 

 damping will be required. Potted trees should stand on a thick bed of ashes, from 

 which moisture will rise, also ammonia from the waterings with liquid manure. This 

 is highly beneficial to fig growth* and inimical to red spider. This pest quickly takes 



