204 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



neck of the fruit, becoming soft at its junction with 

 the stalk. To gather a fig in perfection, it should be 

 allowed to hang till the juice begins to exude from its 

 eye or apex. Of course, if they have to be packed 

 and sent to a distance, they should be gathered a little 

 earlier than if just to be sent to the table. 



SECOND CROP. 



As soon as the first crop is all gathered, give every 

 encouragement to the second, especially as the natural 

 heat of the season has increased. The temperature 

 may range a few degrees higher ; syringing be resumed 

 and practised regularly on all fine days ; and more 

 water can be given at the root. The house may be shut 

 up in the afternoon with a temperature of 80 to 85 

 according to the weather, with a corresponding degree 

 of atmospheric moisture. The fig is very fond of heat 

 especially derived from the sun, and also of a moist 

 atmosphere. 



When the second crop begins to ripen, air liberally, 

 and give just sufficient water to keep the system ac- 

 tive and healthy, but no more. As soon as the fruit 

 are all gathered, should there be any signs of red- 

 spider, syringe the foliage vigorously with water in 

 which a little sulphur is mixed. Look over the trees, 

 and remove entirely any growths that seem at all to 

 crowd the bushes ; and when the wood is ripened, re- 

 move the plants to the open air, plunging them in a 

 place where they can have full sun, and keep them 

 well watered until the leaves drop. 



The routine of forcing trees planted out in borders 

 does not differ in any essential point from the fore- 

 going directions. They of course require less frequent 



