,6o FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



feeding, giving top dressing, etc. The Fig is not particular as to soil, and this 

 certainly need not be made too rich, otherwise too rank a growth will be sure to 

 follow. A good loam, similar to that recommended for Peaches and Nectarines, 

 is about right, and an added sprinkling of coarse bone is ail that will be required. 

 As the trees get thoroughly established and the border is fdled with roots, sur- 

 face feeding can be applied to good advantage, according to conditions. If 

 the trees have a tendency to rankness, less feeding will be required. From my 

 experience I cannot lay down any cut and dried rules. Feed according to the 

 nature or the requirements of your trees. We all know that the same quantity 

 of fruit cannot be obtained from an over-rank growth as from medium, short- 

 jointed wood. The feeding recommended for Peaches and Nectarines will 

 also do for Figs. But I repeat that good drainage is one of the chief factors 

 of success. With systematic feeding, I have seen wonderful crops of Figs taken 

 from houses where the roots were confined to a comparatively small amount of 

 soil. 



If a fighouse is started the ist of February at a temperatureof 50° at night and 

 60° to 65° by day, gradually increasing to 65° by night and 75° by day or 80° with 

 sun heat, ripe Figs may be had about the first or second week in May. When 

 the requirements of this fruit are once fully understood, it is not difficult to 

 raise successful crops year after year, for the trees are of a hardy, robust consti- 

 tution. Still a crop may be seriously damaged within a short time. For 

 instance, just as the fruit begins to ripen, a dry, bracing atmosphere must be 

 maintained, with no spraying of the trees while the crop is in its ripening stage. 

 The skin of the fruit is so tender, that too much moisture would produce mould, 

 which is the starting point of decay. A drier atmosphere is also necessary in 

 order to get the desired rich, luscious flavor. 



When the first crop is gathered spraying and moisture can be more freely 

 given, until the second crop is ripe. It is easy to see from this mode of treat- 

 ment that it is of decided advantage to have Figs in a house where they can be 

 treated according to their own peculiar requirements. Simple though these 

 be, it would be impossible to satisfy •'.hem in a mixed house. 



PLANTING AND GENERAL TREATMENT 



The Fig tree will begin to bear while it is still quite small, or the second 

 season after planting. The greatest obstacle to success is probably the 

 crowding of too many trees into a house. Young trees may be planted six 

 or seven feet apart; this distance will do for three or four years, or until 

 they begin to crowd into each other. It is then better to remove every 

 other tree rather than to resort to much pruning. It is well to have this exi- 

 gency in mind in first planting a house, and to arrange that the peimanent 

 trees shall be about fifteen feet apart. This will allow the proper expansion 

 of the branches on each side of the main stem. After spacing the permanent 

 trees, the supplementary ones may be set in between, with a view to removing 

 them when the space is needed. 



Young stock for planting is as a rule pot grown. Therefore all roots must 



