SUB-TROPICAL OR TEMPERATE FRUITS 197 



Ficus Carica (I'rticaceae) : Fig. A small spreading, deci- 

 duous tree or large shrub, native of Turkey and the Mediterranean 

 region, where it is extensively grown for its fruit. Fig trees grow 

 moderately well and set fruit freely in hill gardens in Ceylon, but 

 owing to the South-west monsoon rains setting in when the trees 

 are in bearing, the fruit seldom ripens well ; in fine weather a few 

 fruits occasionally ripen, but these are wanting in flavour. 

 FIRMIXGER said : " In most parts of India, Fig trees are to be met 

 with thriving vigorously and bearing fruit abundantly," but pre- 

 sumably this refers to the plains, for CAMEROX says he has " not 

 seen the Fig tree under cultivation in the hills in India." The Fig 

 thrives in dry, arid places, requiring no shade and but little 

 moisture, the essential conditions being good drainage, a rich 

 porous soil, and a dry hot season for ripening the fruit. Thus in 

 the drier parts of Uva, in Ceylon, Fig trees have been found to 

 ripen fairly good crops. The trees should be sheltered from 

 strong winds, and usually thrive best in an enclosed yard, with 

 their roots confined to a limited space. In Greece, the average 

 yield of a Fig orchard is said to be about 1,600 Ib. of fruit per acre. 

 The " Smyrna Fig " is the best kind, but there are numerous other 

 varieties in cultivation, as Golden- Fig, Purple-fig, White Adriatic, 

 Black Ischia, etc. The two last named have been found the most 

 approaching to success at Nuwara Eliya, according to Mr. COTTON. 

 The Fig is easily propagated by cuttings, which travel well by post. 

 The fertilisation of the minute flowers, which are enclosed in the 

 hollow of the fruit, is dependent on an insect, the process being 

 known as caprification. 



Fragaria vesca (Rosaceae). Strawberry. A low herbaceous 

 creeping perennial, producing "runners," by which the plant is 

 readily increased. A species of Wild Strawberry (F. nilgerrensis) 

 is indigenous to the hills of South India. Wild Strawberries are 

 to be found occasionally in patches up-country, especially about 

 Hakgala and Nuwara Eliya ; DR. TRIMEX considered that these 

 were escapes from cultivation. Improved cultivated varieties have 

 been introduced into Ceylon from time to time, which, in the dry 

 season in up-country gardens, produce and ripen fruit of very fair 

 quality, though somewhat lacking in flavour. The plants should 

 be planted in rows about 18 inches apart, with 12 inches between 

 the plants in the rows. The soil must be well-drained, rich and 

 porous. Of the varieties tried at Hakgala Gardens, u Crescent 

 Seedling " has so far afforded about the best results. 



