IV] THE VINE 77 



should advise the use of a fairly good soil. 1 know 

 nothing better than that recommended for peaches 

 and nectarines. 



The same kindof surface-dressingwouldanswer 

 admirably. It is always best to supply them with 

 food in this way, as fig trees form an abundance 

 of surface roots. The use of strong liquid or arti- 

 ficial manures is not to be recommended, as both 

 help to encourage a strong and unfruitful growth. 

 Pruning should be performed with discretion, i.e. 

 moderately, and not severely in any case. If a 

 xerj strong shoot appears, it is best to cut it right 

 away rather than prune it to two or three eyes. 



Pinching tends to harden the wood, thus 

 making the tree more prolific. 



Figs — especially the hardiest ^'arieties — can 

 also be grown in a cool house with good results. 

 The best fig for growing in a cool house is the 

 Brown Turkey. There are also other kinds, such 

 as the Brunswick, etc., while, as has been said, 

 nearly all the varieties force well. 



The vine. — If vines are grovra in ordinary 

 pots, they must be grown on the alternate system, 

 viz. by allowing the plants to do one year's work, 

 and then to have one year's rest. By this, I mean 

 it would be necessary to renew the soil after a 

 year's hard work, and this would disturb the roots 

 of the ^ine, and so injure the fruiting for the next 



