740 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



ains It is considerably colder ; though, in general, there are only a few 

 days in January in which it freezes. The rain-fall at Jaffa has already 

 been given. At Jerusalem the average annual fall amounts to 25 

 inches. The growth of the trees and fruit is favorably affected by 

 abundant rains. 



Irrigation. The trees do not require irrigation, and, except when 

 growing in orange groves, are never watered. With systematic irri- 

 gation and cultivation, such as received in the orange groves at Jaffa, 

 the fruit is improved. 



Cultivation. As already mentioned, but little cultivation is bestowed 

 on the trees. At most they receive a spring and autumn plowing. 



Fertilizers. Fertilizers are seldom used except when in connection 

 with the orange or lemon trees ; and the kind preferred is generally 

 horse manure, or the dung of the mule or camel. 



Pruning. Pruning is not practiced with any system, or to any ap- 

 preciable extent. It is considered best to spare the lower branches, and 

 when cuttings for propagation are made they are taken from above. 



Picking and curing. The fruit is picked when fully ripe. For eating, 

 the morning is deemed the best time of day for picking ; but there is 

 little choice observed in the matter. In general, the fig of this country 

 is of inferior size, doubtless in consequence of being given such little 

 attention, and being only used for home consumption. The fruit is dried 

 by being spread in the sun, usually on the roofs of houses, or sometimes 

 on the ground. When partially dry the fig is pressed flat in the hands. 

 Subsequently the nearly dried fruit is strung on strings ; and it is often 

 sold in this shape or when placed in sacks. 



Planting and propagating. The distance at which the trees are planted 

 apart varies from 6 to 10, or even 20 feet. 



Though the fig can be grown from seed, the usual method of propa- 

 gation is by cuttings, or rather branches slipped off the parent tree. 



The size of the orchards is in general riot large, though sometimes 

 consisting of several acres. There are only a few hundred fig-trees 

 dispersed over the vineyards and gardens at Jaffa ; but at Bethlehem, 

 Hebron, and around Jerusalem orchards of fair size devoted to the fig 

 may be found. 



Maturity. The tree here attains to the age of one hundred years, and 

 with proper care and culture continues fruitful to the last. If neglected 

 too much, it ceases to be productive ; though on attention being re- 

 newed, it again responds with crops. The trees begin to bear at the 

 third year, and are in full bearing when five years of age. 



Insect pests. But little has been observed as to insect pests, bene- 

 ficial insects, or the parasites of the injurious ones. The fig seems to be 

 unusually free from such. A fig is occasionally found containing a 

 worm, which appears to be the larva of one of the smaller moths ; but 

 the species has not been determined. 



Cuttings. The rooted cutting, or the young tree would be, in all 



