CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 317 



grow very freely it is not well to overpot at any time. As the plants 

 increase in size it may be necessary to rely solely on surface feeding. 



The trees are subject to white scale, which should be removed by 

 washing with tepid water and soft soap, scrubbing the old wood with a 

 soft brush. With pot trees fruit may be obtained eight months in 

 the year, and trees not forced hard never fail to crop splendidly. On 

 the other hand, when in active growth, never allow them to become 

 dry at the roots, as then the fruits drop. 



Figs Planted Out. Much the same treatment is necessary for 

 trees planted out in houses. The same varieties are suitable, but 

 none are so reliable as Brown Turkey for general culture. Most of 

 the kinds are inclined to run to wood unless the root-space is confined ; 

 indeed, such kinds as the Negro Largo, Nubian, and others fail to fruit 

 at all if given ample root-space or an over rich soil. Of course with 

 trees on walls or trellises a certain amount of young wood must be 

 laid in for leaders or extension, but keep others closely stopped. 

 Only a few leaders are needed, and thus old wood may be removed 

 every winter and new shoots trained in, but give ample space, as 

 crowded trees bear poor fruits. 



The temperature given for pot trees will suffice, and avoid at any 

 time a high night temperature; when started in the spring 50 degrees 

 are ample, but a liberal use of sun heat is advantageous. 



Soils for both pot and planted-out trees should consist of good 

 loam, to which add a fourth part of old fine mortar rubble or burnt 

 refuse. Wood ashes are especially good, as these and the mortar 

 rubble build up short- jointed fruiting wood. In potting or planting 

 ample drainage and firm potting are essential ; indeed, the rammer 

 should be used freely, and give no manure other than as a mulch 

 during the fruiting season. Plunge small trees when fruiting to pre- 

 vent dryness. After the crop is removed the trees should be freely 

 exposed and syringed in fine weather to keep the foliage clean, and any 

 small spray growth pruned away to admit light to the branches. In 

 taking a second crop thin freely. As the trees bear such heavy crops 

 the early one next season suffers when thinning is forgotten. 



Figs j 'OT Open Walls. In many parts of the British Isles plant the 

 Fig under a glass coping or where the wood fails to ripen in cold, 

 exposed positions. On the other hand, in Sussex, the tree does 

 splendidly as a bush near the coast. The Brunswick, a pear-shaped 

 fruit, develops exceptionally well ; also other kinds, but this is un- 

 usually good. With regard to the position the trees should occupy, 

 choose a west or south wall, and when planting make the soil, or add 

 to it, so that the roots obtain a good percentage of chalk or lime, 

 as this results in a firmer growth ; the trees are hardier and more 

 fruitful. March or April is the best time to plant, and the trees 

 may be selected with a single leg or stem, as, unless this is done, 

 sucker growth is troublesome. On the other hand, they may, with 

 advantage, have three leaders. Train these in, and a wall is more 

 quickly filled, as from each of these main shoots others will converge. 

 They should be at a distance of eighteen inches apart ; this will allow 



