194 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



mid- September to nigh Christmas. The potted trees usually consist of early and sure 

 first-cropping varieties, when forced ; but border trees are of the larger kinds, and 

 give fruit far more successionally in their second crops. Each cultivator must select 

 those varieties and that mode of culture best calculated to meet requirements. Two 

 houses afford ripe fruit from the middle of April to November, and that by reliance on 

 few varieties ; indeed, some growers only grow Brown Turkey, and maintain a supply 

 from May to October inclusive, but more are generally grown from the selections on 

 page 174. Structures suitable for forcing figs in borders are shown on page 189, and 

 Fig. 62, next page, represents a house for forcing trees in pots. 



EOUTINE OPERATIONS. 



A concise narrative of practice in time-table order will be of great service to learners, 

 and helpful to general cultivators. 



First Week in October. When early potted trees have cast their leaves they should 

 be pruned, well washed, re-staked, and tied. Re- potting is best done earlier, but may be 

 done now if needed, but there must be no delay. Lift and replant trees in borders, 

 where the growth is too strong for fruitfulness, providing thorough drainage and rough 

 calcareous compost rammed firm. Afford trees in late houses a little heat to ripen their 

 fruit, but withhold water. 



First Week in November. Prepare to start the trees for ripening fruit in April. 

 Thoroughly cleanse the house, paint the woodwork if necessary, remove every particle 

 of old material from the beds, and whitewash the walls. If the trees are in large pots, 

 and rooted from the bottoms and over the rims, stand them on pedestals of loose bricks, 

 and build up walls of new turf and old mortar rubbish from the base of the pedestals 

 round each pot to the top, as shown in Fig. 62, h. This plan was originated by Mr. "W. 

 Coleman, Eastnor Castle Gardens, a very successful grower and forcer of fruits, whose 

 published information in the Gardeners' Chronicle we desire to acknowledge, as the 

 practice has proved sound and reliable. When forcing commences, new roots spread 

 through the turf, which is rammed well down, top- dressings are added as roots show on 

 the surface, water is supplied regularly, and tepid liquid manure occasionally as needed. 

 Loose brick pillars are useful for standing smaller pots on, preventing their sinking with 

 the fermenting material. The fermenting materials may consist of three parts oak, 

 Spanish chestnut, or beech leaves, and one part fresh stable manure, well worked and 

 sweetened before using, for filling up the pits. 



