THE FIG, 91 



but they are occasionally grown on east and west aspects, 

 though not so successfully. In may be taken as a 

 golden rule that a south aspect is best for the Fig, and 

 the wall should be not less than loft. high. Figs will 

 not fruit freely on fences. 



Distances for Planting* For trees grown against walls 

 12 to 1 5ft. apart is a suitable distance to plant. Standards 

 should be isft. apart each way. Wall trees are grown 

 on the fan-trained system. 



Planting. The best time to plant young trees grown 

 in the open is as soon as the leaves fall in autumn. Those 

 procured in pots should, however, not be planted before 

 April. Spread the roots out to their full length, and 

 plant them sufficiently deep for them to be covered with 

 about 3in. of soil. Firm planting is essential. The 

 branches should only be loosely secured to the wall the 

 first season. After planting mulch the surface of the 

 soil with manure, and if the weather should be dry, give 

 a good watering occasionally. 



Summer Pruning. The great point to study in the suc- 

 cessful cultivation of the Fig is to avoid overcrowding 

 of the shoots. Therefore, care should be taken to train 

 the growths far enough apart so that the sun can have 

 full access to each one. Summer pruning should take 

 the form of disbudding or rubbing off superfluous young 

 shoots likely to overcrowd the tree later on. Do this 

 early. Then in the case of other lateral shoots that are 

 likely to grow too long for the space, pinch off their 

 points at the sixth leaf, but on no account interfere 

 with other shoots. Keep all suckers removed. 



Winter Pruning. As a rule, very little winter pruning 

 is required ; in fact, the less a Fig is pruned the better, 

 as pruning encourages rank growth and little fruit. As 

 soon as the fruit is gathered go over the tree and cut 

 away any weak growths, leaving the best-placed and 

 stronger ones untouched. There must be no shortening 



