FORCING DEPARTMENT. :ns 



MANAGEMENT OF THE FIG TREE. 



The Fig tree, being a native of a warm climate, 

 requires to be protected in this country from the 

 Winter frosts, for the preservation of the young fruit 

 and branches. When planted out of doors, the shoots 

 should be either enveloped in hay or straw bands, or 

 thatched over with broom or fir branches ; and thus 

 many of the sorts will bring their fruit to a high state 

 of perfection, when planted against a South wall. 



But when ripe Figs are wanted at table at an early 

 period of the year, it is necessary to accelerate them 

 by artificial heat, either in one of the Forcing-Houses, 

 or in a separate compartment by themselves. 



Plate 19 will illustrate the end, elevation, and sec- 

 tion of the Fig-House, at Woburn Abbey ; which 

 structure is also adapted for producing a crop of 

 Grapes, that may be either excited at the same time 

 as the Fig tree, or separately. As the front lights, 

 and wall plates of this house, are so constructed as 

 to admit the Vines being taken out of doors, and ex- 

 posed to the external atmosphere, until it may be 

 wished to accelerate them, the Vines are planted 

 on the outside of the front wall, and introduced close 

 under the sill, which is formed into separate lengths, 

 for the convenience of being removed, in order to 

 give facility for the Vines being taken out and into 

 the house at pleasure, when one Vine is confined to 

 each rafter, where they produce an excellent crop of 

 Grapes, without injuring the Figs. Along the cen- 

 tre of the house is a pit four feet deep, by eight feet 



