106 



The Fig, 



The fig requires little in the way of pruning. Only shape the tree when 

 Nature does not do this herseK, and cut back any leader which runs away from its 

 fellows. The tree should be cut back to the required height in the nursery. If 

 this has not been done, the young tree should be headed back to the required 

 height when planting. 



Keep the tree shapely by removing any cross limbs, and as the tree ages some 

 thinning of the top growth becomes necessary ; but, in thinning, it is best to 

 renaove the growth flush from its parent stem in place of shortening only. 



Son^e varieties sucker badly, and these suckers should be carefully removed 

 by cutting off flush with the main roots or lower part of the trunk, whichever 

 they may spring from. 



The Olive, 



The olive requires some pruning. It is best to remove the centre leader, 

 for economical purposes, and grow the tree in the bush form, so that the gather- 

 ing of the fruit can be more easily and cheaply done. The tree will grow to a 

 great height if the centre leader is left. 



The lateral growth may be thinned out, and the remainder shortened in 

 lightly. The olive bears on the younger wood, the flowers coming on short, young 

 growth thrown out from the younger wood. Therefore, it is very necessary that 

 ample young wood be provided. If there are too many leaders, or if the tree 

 is too dense or too compact, then the leaders should be thinned out, and those 

 which are retained should be shortened back if making too much wood. 



These measures will keep the tree as low as possible for picking ; but avoid 

 cutting too hard, for this results in a very dense growth. 



