MARTIN BENSON, SWANWICK, ILLINOIS. 



2. It is the most productive of all fruits, commencing to bear the second year, 

 and bearing a fig or two at nearly every leaf. Further, as above stated, two good 

 CROPS per year can easily be grown. 



3. The Fig is the most delicious of all fruits, and can be used fresh, dried, 

 canned or preserved ; in fact such is the goodness and abundance of this fruit, that 

 in some parts of Southern Europe it goes by the name of the "Providence of the 

 Poor." , . 



4. It flourishes in much more unfavorable climates than our own, for mstance, 

 in Middle and Northern France, where it is one of the most important crops, being 

 worth hundreds of thousands of dollars annually ; yet the climate there is severe 

 enough to kill the trees every winter,^and they are grown as bushes and protected 

 by covering. It is also grown very successfully in England, that damp, foggy coun- 

 try where corn or melons cannot be grown, and the original trees introduced into 

 the island over 300 years ago are still living. Now if the fig grows so well in those 

 countries, why should it not do much better here, where the climate is so much 

 better suited to it ? 



5. It is very easily grown and protected, and is also one of the most ornamen- 

 tal of trees. 



6. It is the most profitable of all crops. In proof of this, I will give an estimate 

 of the yield and profit of an acre set in Figs : One acre, set with trees at 10 feet 

 apart each way, will contain 430 trees, which on ordinary soil, with good cultivation, 

 will yield when four years from setting, one bushel per tree, which will give over 400 

 bushels per acre. When trees are seven or eight years old, they will yield double 

 this. The fruit will find an almost unlimited demand in our cities. It is sold in the 

 fresh state at from 25 to 50 cents per quart, or from I5 to J15 per bushel. The total 

 cost of protecting an acre of Fig trees six or seven years old will not exceed five 

 cents per tree, if the work is all hired done. The above may seem incredible to 

 those unacquainted with the Fig at the north, but I assure you that it is not above the 

 average — indeed, with extra culture trees four years old will yield much more — but 

 if they only yielded one-half as much as stated above, it would be over 200 bushels 

 per acre. What other fruit will do as well? As it is the most delicious of all fruits, 

 when once introduced, it will become almost a necessity, and the demand for it will 

 be enormous, at paying prices. We should not overlook the fact that when properly 

 protected we are always sure of a crop, which is no small item. Protecting is also 

 very easy and simple, as will be seen further on. 



Below I give some testimonals from disinterested persons in regard to the profit 

 and practability of growing the Fig at the north. The following is from a writer in 

 Special Report No. 4, Department of Agriculture. He says : 



"The Fig can be grown successfully, by protecting the trees in winter, in the Middle 

 and Northern States. * * * *. * The fruit of this tree is so great a luxury, 

 and so useful in many ways, that there is'no reason why it should not become a very con- 

 siderable article of commerce to the people of thoi.e states, and thus add to the weahh of 

 the whole country." 



The following letter is from Dr. G. F. Needham, an old and experienced Fig 

 grower : 



Seabrook, Md., May 7, 1883. 



Dear Sir : * * ® If CoK Worthington of Ohio, can raise more Figs on a given 

 quantity of land than of tomatoes or potatoes, then it can be done anywhere north. Mr. 

 Fowler, of Clifton, near Baltimore, gets fro per bushel for his Figs, and some growers here 

 get 50 cents per dozen for the first crop, and 12^ cents per dozen for second crop, when the 

 Figs are smaller. The trees begin to bear the second year, and when four years old will 

 yield a bushel per tree per year. « * « In regard to the cold of winter, it makes but lit- 

 tle difference, for if the trees freeze and thaw in the dark, freezing does not hurt them. » » * 



Respectfully, G. F. NEEDHAM. 



The next is from Wm. Fowler, Esq., of Maryland, who has grown the Fig for 

 over twenty years : 



Clifton Park Gardens, Md., May 7, 1S85. 

 Dear Sir ; » » « i can say that the Fig has been a paying crop here. We have 

 about a half acre of Fig plants. We have a good demand for the fruit, more than I can 

 supply at $6 per bushel. * " * Yours respectfully, 



WILLIAM FOWLER. 

 General Worthington says : 



" It is quick grown, suits our climate admirably, is easily protected, a sure bearer, and 

 very prolific — trees begin to bear when two years old, and when four or five years old they 

 will produce a greater and more certain crop than either potatoes or tomatoes. The Fig is 

 the fruit for the cottages'and villager, and when its merits and adaptability to our climate 

 become known, it will be as regularly grown as the potato or tomato." 



