i62 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



be disentangled and straightened, or spread over the border. They should 

 not be set out just as they come from the pot, for freer root action will be ob- 

 tained by relieving the roots around the ball, and spreading them about as 

 much as possible. This little preliminary woik will promote a more satis- 

 factory growth in every respect. It is necessary at times to root-prune the 

 Fig tree, after it has been in the soil for two or three years and makes an extra 

 strong growth, with a poor showing of fruit. 



Root-pruning is a simple operation. Dig a trench around the tree about 

 two feet from tiie butt; this will encourage more fibrous roots, and these roots 

 again will encourage growth that will produce fruiting wood. The long, rank, 

 coarse roots are anything but desirable, as they produce only rank, fruitless 

 wood. 



The nature and make-up of the Fig are entirely different from those of 

 any other fruit. While its cultivation is simple to the man who understands 

 its needs, my object here is to give such instructions that the amateur grower 

 who follows them can make a success of Fig culture. The key to success is 

 interest, and when that has been awakened it is soon followed by enthusiasm 

 for the work, which will abide for all time. 



The Fig is good for two crops at least, and if the house has been started 

 on the first of January, three crops may be gathered during the season. The 

 first crop, however, is procured from the previous year's gro\\i:h, if we are through 

 forcing by the end of September, and the house is thrown open to ripen up the 

 wood for the following season. Sometimes quite a number of small green Figs 

 appear on the young wood; when these are large enough to be detected or begin 

 to take their shape, they should all be removed, which can be best done with 

 the finger and thumb. If this green fruit is allowed to stay on it will drop 

 off, instead of swelling or maturing, when the trees are started up in the Spring, 

 whereas if it is removed in the early Fall, the tree will have sufficient time to 

 exert its powers in the seasonable preparation of new Figs for the following 

 year. If the operation is undertaken in time, new Figs will form before the 

 Winter sets in. Sometimes two Figs will form in place of one rubbed off. 



PREPARATIONS FOR TIIE SECOND CROP 



Soon after the heat is turned on in the Spring, growth and the first crop 

 will start at the same time. Figs will appear on the previous year's wood as 

 the new growth progresses; these should be pinched in due time, from six to 

 nine inches, according to space. This will check the flow of sap, which causes 

 the wood to firm up and will produce fruit from the axils of the young leaves. 

 In a short time wood growth will commence again, and this may be pinched 

 again as recommended for the second crop. Usually there are more young 

 shoots starting than are necessary. Any shoots not needed should be disbudded 

 or pinched back close to the old wood. While it is well to have the tree furnished 

 with foliage, this should not be at the expense of crowding. Any wood that 

 has been growing during the Summer in a crowded condition cannot be ex- 

 pected to give satisfactory results the following season. Success, moreovei. 



