5/t" 



2ft 



PLANTING AND PRUNING 



Bear in mind that the fig 

 tree is of a spreading habit 

 and is also a great surface 

 feeder, and therefore avoid 

 planting the trees too close 

 together. On the general 

 run of soils 30 feet on the 

 square system is a good stand- 

 ard distance which may be 

 increased if soil conditions 

 warrant, but trees should 

 never be planted closer for 

 commercial purposes. As the 

 fig tree is long lived and will 

 in time occupy a large area, it 

 is practicable to plant trees 40 

 feet apart, alternating with 

 other fruit trees, or grape- 

 vines may be planted between 

 the rows which may be re- 

 moved in later years. As a 

 border tree for Inclosing or- 

 chards and vineyards, or for 

 aligning avenues, it not only 

 makes a. striking effect but is 

 also very profitable. 



Although the fig will stand 

 all kinds of neglect after it is 

 established, too great em- 

 phasis cannot be laid on the 

 close attention which must be 

 given in transplanting the 



4V^mi BUT trees from the nursery to the 



orchard. The roots of a fig 

 tree are very susceptible to ex- 

 _,. m , posure, hence should be care- 



A nursery grown Fig Tree and f ully covered in transferring 

 the same tree cut back ready for from the trenches to the field. 



It is surprising what effect 



planting. the puddling of the roots will 



have in preventing their dry- 

 ing out even in cases of severe 



winds, and we cannot emphasize the importance of this too 

 strongly. As an illustration of this point, we wish to say we 

 have taken trees which were in leaf and after puddling the 

 roots thrown them into the open air for a couple of hours and 

 not a leaf would wilt, while trees not treated in this manner 

 would dry up, root and top, in ten minutes exposure. To 

 make a puddle dig a hole eighteen inches deep, two feet in 

 diameter, fill it partly full with heavy soil, mix with water 

 until you have a muck the consistency of a heavy paint. Dip 



A One-Year-Old orchard grown 

 Fig Tree with the frame work 

 limbs well divided and cut back. 



A Two- Year- Old Fig 



Tree commencing 



to grow a shapely 



head. 



19 



