198 OF FIGS. 



be described hereafter, near the roots of the trees, 

 as soon as they are covered. 



Take care not to uncover the Figs too soon in 

 the Spring ; and it should be done partially, as 

 frequently there are frosts and cutting winds in 

 the months of April and May, which will infallibly 

 kill the young fruit as they make their appearance 

 in the Spring. 



Those branches which have been laid into the 

 ground should be taken up in the month of April, 

 taking off the hay and straw bands, and then nailed 

 to the wall. Stick in among the branches some 

 fern-leaves, or any other light covering, to protect 

 them from the drying winds and frosts, till the fruit 

 comes to the size of a large walnut, or rather till 

 the leaves are sufficiently large to protect the fruit. 



The Italians, when they wish to forward the 

 ripening of Figs, drop in a little sweet oil, from a 

 quill, into the eye of the fruit ; but care must be 

 taken not to hurt the skin, which would make the 

 Fig burst. This will make a difference at least of 

 a fortnight in the ripening. 



As soon as the leaves begin to fall, brush them off 

 with a broom, but by no means till they will come 

 off easily. If they are forced off before they begin 

 to wither and decay, the trees will bleed at the 

 footstalks. At the same time you should clear the 

 stalks of all the small late fruit, which, if suffered 

 to remain during the Winter, will rot, and injure 

 the tree so as to prevent it from bearing the en- 

 suing Summer. If you observe any milk oozing 



