!88 THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



Fern, Sweet. See Comptonia. 

 Ferraria, Tigridia. Iridece. 



Propagated -by means of seeds and bulbels. 

 Feverfew, See Chrysanthemum. 

 Ficus. Urticacece. 



The greenhouse species are propagated by layers and cut- 

 tings. The cuttings are handled in a close frame, and a leaf 

 or two is usually left on them. For Ficus Carica, see Fig. 

 Propagation by seeds is sometimes used in the edible figs, 

 but is not easy with the ornamental sorts. F. elastica, F. 

 Indica, etc., are increased by cuttings, planted in sand or 

 sandy soil, and placed in good bottom heat, in a frame under 

 glass. The large cuttings should be staked, and care must 

 be taken to remove the milky juice before planting. Any 

 winter month is good, before growth begins. Last season's 

 wood should be used. 

 Fig (Ficus Carica). Urlicacece. 



Figs grow readily from the plump seeds in the commercial 

 fruit. Wash out the seeds, and those that sink may be sown 

 in a frame. The young plants will appear in three or four 

 weeks. In from three to five years the plants will begin to 

 bear. New varieties are obtained in this way. 



Varieties of the fig are multiplied with ease by layers, 

 suckers and cuttings. Make cuttings of mature wood in au- 

 tumn, cutting just below a bud. Scarce varieties may be 

 multiplied by single eye cuttings. Fig cuttings are handled 

 in the same way as grape cuttings. Some prefer, however, 

 to place the cuttings where the tree is to stand. A well-grown 

 plant will bear at two or three years of age. 



The fig is readily budded and grafted, but these methods 

 are seldom employed, because the plant is so easily multi- 

 plied by cuttings. Shield, ring or tubular buddings are em- 

 ployed. Various methods of grafting are adapted to it, and 

 cleft-grafting is usually employed on old plants. 



Filbert, See Corylus. 

 Fir. See Abies, Pinus and Picea. 

 Fire-pink. See Silene. 

 Fittonia. Acanthacece. 



Increased by division, and by cuttings of half-ripened 

 shoots, planted in sandy loam, in bottom heat. 



Fitzroya. Com 'ferae. 



Seeds. Increased also by cuttings of half-ripened shoots 



