Pruning the Fig. 327 
PLANTING AND PRUNING THE FIG. 
The chief point to observe in planting fig trees is to get 
them far enough apart, because of the great spread of branches 
which they attain. Of course they may be planted twenty feet 
apart if the owner intends to remove alternate rows, but to 
plant at forty feet, or even farther apart, with other fruit trees 
or vines between, on the plan of alternate or double squares, 
described in Chapter X, would be the best way to lay out a fig 
orchard—the intermediate growths to be removed as the figs 
require more room. 
Very handsome effects are produced by planting the fig 
along avenues to inclose orchards of other fruits. 
In transplanting fig trees cxtra care must be taken to keep 
the roots from drying. After planting, the stem must be dili- 
gently guarded from sunburn, to which it is liable in the warmer 
parts of the State. 
Pruning the Fig-——The fig requires very little pruning after 
its shape is outlined. There is difference of opinion and 
practise as to the height at which the head should be formed; 
some head as low as already advised for common orchard trees; 
others, having in mind the immense thickness attained by the 
limbs, and their disposition to droop, head as high as four to six 
feet, which is the better way to proceed. 
In shaping the tree, branches should be brought out at a 
distance apart on the stem, so that there may be room for their 
expansion without crowding each other, and care should be 
taken not to leave too many main limbs. Three limbs, well 
placed arourd the stem, are enough. The branches putting out 
on the under side of these limbs should be suppressed, and those 
growing upright, or obliquely upright, retained. After getting 
the general shape of the tree fixed, there is little need of prun- 
ing except to remove defective branches or those which will 
cross and interfere with each other and to prevent the interior 
of the tree from becoming too dense. It is better to remove 
branches entirely than to shorten them; or, in shortening, always 
cut to a strong lateral. Stubs left at pruning are very undesir- 
able in the fig. 
Cultivation—Young fig orchards are cultivated as are other 
fruit areas. Old trees which completely shade the ground are 
usually left to themselves, without cultivation, except cutting 
out weeds. Irrigation is governed by local conditions, as al- 
ready stated. 
Bearing Age of the Fig.-—The fig often, and, perhaps, usu- 
ally, begins its bearing very early, in the most favorable situa- 
tions in this State. Some fruit is often had the second year, and 
a crop worth handling the third year. Still, it is wiser not to 
