190 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



inches of soil. Before planting, presuming that the 

 border is made of such porous material as has been 

 recommended, and not wet, it should be trodden firmly- 

 down before the trees are planted. This prevents it 

 from holding so much water in suspension as when 

 in a more loose and spongy condition, and, as a con- 

 sequence, assists in checking a too vigorous growth. 

 When the trees are all planted, at from 10 to 12 feet 

 apart, the surface of the border should be slightly 

 higher than it is ultimately intended to be, as it will 

 in course of time subside a little. Settle the soil 

 about the roots with water applied through a rose. 

 Tie the trees loosely, for the present, in their places, 

 training the main stem straight up the roof of the 

 house, the laterals horizontally to the wires, and they 

 are ready for a start. 



Of course, in planting a house in this way there 

 will be ample light admitted to the body of it for 

 a few years, to admit of a row of figs in pots being 

 grown on each side of the passage, either plunging 

 them in the border, or placing them on the surface. 

 These wiU yield a supply of fruit till the permanent 

 trees come well into bearing. Some plant a double 

 quantity of trees, and remove the supernumeraries as 

 the permanent require the space. But seeing that 

 planted -out trees never bear very freely for several 

 years after being planted, I recommend those in pots 

 in preference until they become unnecessary and im- 

 practicable from the extension and bearing condition 

 of the planted-out trees, which are far less trouble- 

 some than plants in pots, unless in the case of very 

 early forcing perhaps. 



