318 THE FORCING GARDEN. [JAN. 



distinctly by themselves, in this undertaking ; as 

 the volume will be necessarily fully swelled other- 

 wise. I shall suppose them to be planted, either in 

 the border of the cherry or the peach-house ; and to 

 fare as apricots, cherries, or peaches, planted in the 

 same manner. It is therefore only necessary to re- 

 fer the reader to the treatment of these, and to the 

 foregoing sections on soils for, and the kinds of figs 

 to be forced. 



It is to be presumed that the plants are to be 

 dwarfed as much as possible, as hinted above for 

 cherries ; and of course they will grow little to 

 wood, but chiefly to short stubs or spurs, that will 

 be abundantly fruitful, provided the knife be not 

 much exercised on them. Indeed most of the prun- 

 ing requisite for figs properly treated in this way, 

 may be done with the finger in spring, by merely 

 rubbing off the infant shoots thought necessary to 

 be displaced. 



With respect to water, they must have their full 

 share ; and very much pains should be taken to sup- 

 press the red-spider on their foliage ; whether by 

 the engine, syringe, or by frequently brushing * the 

 under sides of the leaves, in order to destroy his 

 webs, that are there thickly wove. Few other in- 

 sects annoy the fig, except sometimes the coccus or 



* The brush for this purpose should be a painter's sash ? tool. 

 In brushing the leaves of the fig, less care is necessary than 

 in brushing more delicate foliage, such as that of the vine and 



