IQ2 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Pinching. Success in the cultivation of figs in pots greatly depends on this simple 

 operation, the finger and thumb being employed in nipping out the soft-growing points 

 of the shoots, as it is a bad practice to allow leaves to expand and then to have to cut 

 them off. Young trees require closer pinching than the older. Allowing five leaves to 

 be made before removing the points of the shoots is proper for securing fruit, but regard 

 must be had to the vigour of the tree, for close pinching strong- growing kinds keeps 



Fig. 61. PRUNING YOUNG FIG TEEE, AND SUMMER PINCHING. 



References: &, shortening brandies to form bush and pyramid trees ; x, points of pruning back to form a bush ; 

 y, points of shortening to form a pyramid and x, except xl. H, tree in foliage showing pinching ; z, first stopping; 

 a, second pinching ; b, extent of growth removed detached points. 



them barren. Cultivators must exercise judgment, remembering that the object in 

 view is concentrating the forces on fruit production, causing second -crop figs to push at 

 the axils of every leaf almost down to the base of the shoots, with other short-jointed 

 growths for producing a full first crop the following season. 



Potting. The pots should have liberal drainage. A little cramping at the roots con- 

 duces to fruit production, loose potting having a contrary effect. Directly the leaves 

 fall, turn the trees out of the pots, shake oif the loose soil, shorten the roots a little, and 



