FIGS FORMING TREES. 193 



place in pots one size larger ; then the trees can receive another shift if they require it 

 during the following summer. This practice in shaking out the soil, trimming the roots, 

 and re-potting, has to be performed yearly until the trees occupy the size of pot desired. 

 Fig trees produce fruit in very small, say 6 -inch pots, and are interesting and easily 

 managed. To keep them in the smallest size of pot as long as possible, simply reduce 

 the soil and roots and place in the same-sized pot. Very large pots are unmanageable. 

 For general purposes 12-inch pots are convenient, though larger are used for producing 

 a quantity of fruit of a special variety. Instead of re-potting annually, trees in large 

 pots may have the surface soil picked off and some removed half-way down the side of 

 the pot, shortening the roots and filling the space with fresh soil. Every second or third 

 year, however, the trees should be turned out, have the roots reduced two-thirds, and be 

 given clean, well-drained pots. Thus the same trees will produce fruit in the same- 

 sized pots for many years. 



Forcing Figs. To secure a supply of ripe fruits by the middle of April to early in 

 May, the trees must be grown in pots with bottom heat, and be thoroughly established, 

 properly prepared, and duly rested, starting them by the middle of November. These 

 trees afford a second crop of fruit about mid-June to early July, when they must be 

 allowed to ripen their growths and go to rest, clean and unburdened with third- crop figs. 

 Trees not previously forced early should be started in January, and grown so as to 

 mature a good growth early, going to rest in September. Potted trees started in bottom 

 heat during January, ripen the first crop from the middle of May to early June, and 

 the second crop about mid-July to early August, and after that crop is gathered the 

 trees must be kept free of third-crop figs, and mature the growths. "Where other trees 

 are grown in pots, and they are brought on gently from March, they will ripen a first 

 crop about the end of July or early August, and will continue to afford luscious figs 

 until November, if early, mid-season, and late varieties are grown ; they should then go 

 to rest, merely excluding frost, during the winter. 



Border trees are not wisely started before the new year, and they will then 

 ripen the first crop towards the end of May, continuing into July ; the second crop 

 closely following, and fine fruits are produced up to October. Other trees started 

 about the middle of February ripen their first crops about mid-July, the second 

 crop commencing to ripen about six weeks afterwards, and keep on until October or 

 November. If border trees are assisted with fire heat after they break naturally 

 in March or early April, the first crop ripens in early August, and the second crop from 



VOL. 11. c c 



