I0O0 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



possession of the soil, and is thus infinitely better able to 

 withstand frosts. In planting, the soil can scarcely be made too 

 firm, and, for that reason, the operation should only be 

 performed when the soil is fairly dry and does not stick to the 

 tools. If the soil were wet, it would set in one solid mass 

 later on, and would prove impenetrable to either roots or moisture. 

 Immediately after planting, a thorough soaking of water should 

 be given to settle the soil about the roots, and a mulch of litter 

 spread over the surface to retain the moisture. During the summer 

 months it may be necessary to water the tree again several 

 times, and after very hot days a good syringing overhead will be 

 very beneficial, as the Fig thoroughly enjoys heat and moisture. 

 Neither liquid nor solid manure should be given until the trees 

 are cropping ; then one or both forms of manure will be of 

 assistance, or, if the smell is objectionable, one or other of the 

 odourless prepared manures may be given with advantage, ioz. 

 to each square surface yard will be sufficient to allow at once, as 

 it is better to be*on the "weak" side in applying manures. 



In training and pruning the Fig, due allowance should be made 

 for the large foliage, and, for that reason, 6in. is none too much 

 space to allow between the growing young wood. When each 

 shoot has made seven or eight leaves, the point should be pinched 

 out ; this induces the formation of fruit. In fact, trees that have 

 been noted as cumberers of the ground and wall space have been 

 turned into most productive and valuable specimens by a 



Fig. 652. — Fig Brown Turkey. 



judicious system of pinching during the growing season. Not 

 only is this mode advisable from a fruit-production point of view, 

 but it is also much better for the health of the tree, as it 

 practically does away with the knife in order to keep the tree 



