104 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



make the vines grow too tall and to bear comparatively few 

 flowers. For dressing of lawns, a Fertilizer which is com- 

 paratively rich in nitrogen is usually to be advised. 



An important value of commercial Fertilizers is to use 

 them to start off the plants quickly in the spring. The food 

 is available and acts at once. When used for this purpose, 

 the Fertilizer may be applied in the hill; but when it is de- 

 sired for the enriching of the land and for the support of the 

 crop throughout the season, it should be applied to the en- 

 tire surface. Always avoid putting the Fertilizer on the 

 crown of the plant, or directly in contact with it. It is 

 usually better to work the Fertilizer in lightly. For most 

 garden operations, it is better to apply in spring. 



Feverfew. See Pyretlirum. 



Fig. The Fig is little grown in the East 

 except as a curiosity, but on the Pacific coast it has 

 gained more or less prominence as an orchard fruit. The 

 trees are usually planted at distances of about 18 to 25 feet 

 apart. Figs will stand considerable frost, and seedling or 

 inferior varieties grow out of doors without protection as 

 far north as Virginia. Many of the varieties fruit on young 

 sprouts, and, inasmuch as the roots will stand considerable 

 cold, these varieties will often give a few Figs in the north- 

 ern states. Figs have been fruited in the open ground in 

 Michigan. In all frosty countries, however, the Fig should 

 be laid down during the winter time. The following notes 

 from Professor Massey, of North Carolina, indicate how this 

 may be done : 



"The light hoar-frosts that have occurred here affected 

 vegetation only on low grounds, and today (November 5) 

 our gardens on high ground show no signs of frost. Lima 

 beans and tomato vines are as green as in summer time, 

 and this morning we gathered ripe Figs from our trees in 

 the garden the latest I have ever known Figs to ripen. 

 As the early crop of Figs ripens in July (if it escapes the 



