The Gardener's New Director. 39 



tree planted ; and as the culture of this excellent fruit is 

 but httle undtrilood, I fliall be particular, and give my 

 reafons for what I advance, as it is fomewhat different 

 from the common and modern praftice. 



The befi: fort of Figs for this country, are, 



The Large White. 

 The Large Blue. 

 The Marfeilles. 

 The Candia. 

 The Rofe Fig. 



They are propagated by layers, and by fuckers ; but 

 the firft method is preferable ; for plants produced from 

 fuckers always produce fuckers, and are never fo good 

 bearers as the layers, which make good plants in one 

 year's time. Lay the branches in February, and they 

 will be well rooted againft that time twelve-months, 

 when they fhould be taken off, and planted where they 

 are to continue for good. Only obferve, that after your 

 branches are layed, and begin to take root, you keep that 

 part of them which is pegged down well covered with 

 earth, and well watered in diy weather; and in winter 

 well covered with peafe-haulm, to prevent frofl from in- 

 juring the young fibres of the layers, which are then 

 fhooting into the ground. 



The foil in which they prqfper well, is gravel, or chnlk 

 mixed with loam ; they will alfo grow in good kiichen- 

 garden earth : But where you do not prepare a loil fuit- 

 able to them, you cannot expe£l any tolerable crops of 

 fruit; wherefore it is proper to make the foil for them 

 in borders on the wall, two or three feet deep, and fix 

 or eight in breadth. 



I would choofe to plant thefe trees the beginning of 

 March, and no fooner. They (hould be planted in the 

 fame pofition as is dire6led for mofl; other fruit-trees upon 

 walls ; but they fhould not be headed, for the fewer am- 

 putations they undergo, excepting in cafe of necefllty, 

 the better they thrive. The firfl: year they will require 

 fome rcfrcfhings with water in dry fealons; and by the 

 end of autumn 1 would advife fome mulch to be laid about 

 D 4 their 



