FIGS. 



351 



March ; and the latter- end of April it may be trained to the 

 wall, if the head be large enough and sufficiently handsome : 

 if not, it.should be headed down within nine inches of the 

 ground, in order to its forming a new head. Should the 

 plant be strong, it will, after this, throw up six or eight 

 shoots : these must be trained obliquely, at regular distances, 

 from one side to the other, and continued till the autumn. 

 Previously to the frost setting in, the top must again be pro- 

 tected, and the ground mulched as before. 



BY THE EDITOR. 



Cultivation of Figs in the Southern States. 



In the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, Figs may be ob- 

 tained in the greatest perfection, and of the best quality ; 

 and I would particularly direct the attention of the new emi- 

 grants to the fine climate of Florida to that of procuring the 

 whole collection of Figs. They can be raised as common 

 standard trees, and all the care necessary would be, to keep 

 the trees thinned out and trimmed to a handsome head. 

 Quantities of dried figs are imported here every year, when 

 all the northern and eastern markets might be supplied from 

 Florida, with little more trouble than picking, drying, and 

 packing them up. They will, with attention, no doubt, soon 

 prove an article of commerce in Florida. 



Cultivation of Figs in the Northern and Eastern States. 



In all parts of the United States, the summers are suffi- 

 cient to bring the fruit to maturity, but our winters are too 

 severe for them, they must be protected ; and as they pro- 

 duce fruit entirely on the shoots of the last season, if severe 

 frosts cut them down, of course no fruit can be expected. If 

 the trees are formed in Espalier against a warm fence, they 

 may be protected with mats and straw, covering them pretty 

 thick during the winter. This, however, is rather a trouble- 

 some method, and not always attended with success. To 

 have figs in perfection, the best plan would be to make a 

 sunken pit, about six feet wide ; the ground being dug out 

 to the depth of four feet, the back wall may be made either 

 of stone or brick, raised about seven feet high ; the front wall 

 about four feet, or just above the surface, with rafters to 



iaite. 



