GUIDE TO FIG CULTURE AT THE NORTH. 



Below is a notice from tlie Central Christian Advocate, of St. Louis, of some 

 samples of Figs I sent them of the second crop. 



" As our readers will remember, we published sometime ago an article on Fig culture, 

 written by Mr. Martin Benson. This communication awakened a general Interest in the 

 subject, and led to the cultivation of the Fig by many persons in different parts of the country. 

 Mr. Benson has just sent us a small box of this fruit which was raised on his farm near 

 Swanwick, Illinois. The iigs are of good size, very luscious, and they confirm the statement 

 of Mr. Benson that they can be grown to advantage in this latitude." 



Below are some samples of hundreds of letters received from customers during 

 the past year. Owing to lack of space, I can give out a few. 



Office Stark Nurseries, Louisiana, Mo. 

 The tree came to hand to-day in first-class order ; am very much pleased with it, and 

 will report its progress. Respectfully, 



R. mcd; smith. 



August II, 1885. 

 Dear Sir : I promised to report progress of Fig tree. I have never seen anything make 

 so fine a growth, and on the wood of this season's growth I count about thirty-five figs, some 

 of them larger than the end of my thumb. »»-»»•»»»» 



Respectfully, R. McD. SMITH. 



The following is from one of my customers, to whom I sent samples of my crop. 

 His trees were bought last spring. 



Champaign, Ii,linois, November 14, 1885. 

 Dear Sir : * * I received the box of Figs the day after shipment. I was well pleased 

 with them ; the branch was a prolific one (it was about twelve inches long and had eight or 

 ten figs on it.) Had you been here I would have shown you an equal one, onlv later. 



Yours, JAMES MUIRHEAD. 



The following is from one of my friends in Canada, an old and experienced gar- 

 dener. 



Deans, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1885. 



Sir : * * * I am well acquainted with the habits of the Fig in England, and have 

 often wished to try them here, as the climate seems so much more suitable for them. I 

 have read the hints with regard to them written by you, and I feel confident that you are 

 right. I am, sir. Yours respectfully, ALLEN CHAPMAN. 



November 10, 1885. 

 Dear Sir : I received Fig trees in fine condition ; nice and stalky plants. * * * * 

 Yours respectfully, ALLEN CHAPMAN. 



The preceding estimates of the profits of Fig culture were made in regard to 

 the fresh fruit. There are thousands of tons of the dried fruit imported into this 

 country every year, which could all be produced at home and thus save the country 

 thousands of dollars annually. 



7. As the Fig is the most easily grown, most delicious and most profitable of all 

 fruits, it should be grown by every one who cultivates fruit, in all parts of our country 

 As a fruit for home use the Fig is unequalled. It can be used in so many ways, is 

 so healthy, that if its merits were generally known, it would be grown by everybody. 

 It can be grown with less labor than potatoes^ and a few hours work will protect 

 enough trees to furnish all the fruit a large family can use, either fresh, dried, canned 

 or preserved. By planting the proper varieties you can have Figs from July 

 until frost. 



/VN ASSUF^ED SUCCESS. 



Fig culture at the north is no longer an experiment ; the conditions for its suc- 

 cessful cultivation are as well ascertained as those for any other fruit, and the day is 

 not far distant when the Fig will be one of our most valued and common fruits. 

 So thoroughly am I convinced of the great profit to be derived from the culture of 

 this fruit, that I shall plant largely for tnarket, as soon as I can propagate sufficient 

 stock I hope no intelligent fruit grower will fail to give Fig culture a fair trial, after 

 which I feel sure they will consider them, as I do, the most valuable of all fruits. 



If any one still doubts the practicability of growing the fig at the north, I can 

 but give him a cordial invitation to come and see for himself, as I expect to have up- 

 wards of 50 varieties in bearing the coming summer. , xt , 



The following full instructions for the cultivation of the Fig at the North are the 

 result of careful practice. 



