52 THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 



good condition and secure bountiful crops. In localities where the average annual 

 rainfall is not less than fifteen inches, it can be safely stated that the Smyrna Fig 

 tree will flourish and bear good crops without irrigation. The land, after being 

 leveled and graded, the next thing to do is thorough plowing and cross-plowing to a 

 depth of not less than 12 inches, to be followed by systematic harrowing until the 

 entire plot of land to be planted is as friable as an ash heap. Too much emphasis 

 cannot be given to this point, as the fig, like all other trees, is quickly responsive to 

 intensive culture. 



The land can now be said to be ready for the trees, excepting the laying off of 

 the ground to the square system and the digging of the holes. The former is ex- 



Ten-year-old Roeding Capri No. 2. Tree in prime condition as seen March '30, 1900, when the fol- 

 iage was not fully developed; had been protected during the winter by a canvas tent, and the illus- 

 tration shows the framework of the tent. In the background are rows of Smyrna Fig trees. 



Courtesy of U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



plained by the illustration on page 51. The method of procedure is as follows: 

 The first thing to observe carefully is to clearly define a true corner as a base from 

 which to mark off your plot of ground accurately, an allowance of half the distance 

 between the rows of trees in the orchard to constitute your base line for actual 

 planting from the line defining the boundaries of your land. Having your base or 

 boundary lines defined, running at right angles to each other, start at one side 

 of the field, at a point about 250 feet from your true corner, and run a 

 row of stakes parallel to the line running at right angles to the base line. In 

 small fields this work can easily be done by sighting to a stake set at 

 the proper distance from the corner on the opposite side of the field; in larger 

 plantings, however, these lines, in order to facilitate the work and insure accuracy, 

 should be run by a surveyor. Having laid out your field in sections, the stakes where 

 the trees are to be planted can easily be defined by using a heavy wire 250 feet long, 

 marked at the proper distances, indicating where the trees are to be set. Before 

 digging the holes for the trees, the planter should be provided with a narrow board 



