90 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



about the fruit on the young shoots; it is to that on the 

 previous year's wood that he must look forward to ripen 

 about August or September. 



Propagation. The Fig may be reared from seed, but 

 seedlings do not come true to type. The best method of 

 increasing the Fig is by means of cuttings of short- 

 jointed shoots of the previous year's growth about 8 to 

 i2in. long, each having an inch of older wood attached to 

 its base. Insert the cuttings 6in. deep ID a warm, shel- 

 tered border in October or November, and when frost 

 sets in cover the exposed parts with litter. Leave, the 

 cuttings alone until the following autumn, then lift and 

 replant where required to grow. Figs may also be in 

 creased by bending a branch down to the soil in summer, 

 securing it firmly with a peg, and covering the pegged 

 portion with a few inches of soil. Sever the layer in 

 autumn, and plant in its permanent quarters. Rooted 

 suckers at the base of trees may be dug up in autumn 

 and replanted where required to grow, 



Soil. The Fig is somewhat particular in regard to 

 soil. It will not fruit freely in heavy or rich soils, the 

 resultant growth being too gross to ripen properly, and 

 without well-ripened wood fruit is out of the question. 

 The Fig succeeds best on a chalky or calcareous soil. 

 Moreover, it must have its root area restricted. Where 

 there is about i8in. of loam overlying chalk Figs will 

 do well. In other soils a special bed should be made for 

 each tree by digging out the soil 2ft. deep and 6ft. wide. 

 If the subsoil is clayey put in 6in. of brickbats or stones, 

 and cover these with lime concrete. If loamy, simply 

 add 6in. of old brick and mortar rubbish, rammed 

 down hard. Fill up the space with two parts of loam 

 and one of old mortar rubbish, or chalk nodules, then 

 the Fig may be expected to made a sturdy and fruitful 

 growth. 



Aspect. Standards will only succeed in southern or 

 sheltered districts. Trained trees do best on south walls, 



