ON B^RUIT CULTURE. 



999 



buds are usually oftenest selected. Once the creatures are inside 

 they cause (by the irritation set up) the buds to swell abnormally 

 (Fig. 651), and such buds may easily be 

 detected in late autumn. Here again 

 insecticides are of very little avail, and 

 hand-picking the galled buds is the 

 most practical remedy. Still, if the trees 

 could be sprayed during July with kero- 

 sene emulsion some good might be done. 



The Hazel Nut is attacked by a 

 relative of the Currant-Bud Mite, known 

 as P. AvellajicE, and the galled buds 

 may be readily seen in winter. These 

 two animals have spread over a very 

 wide area, the former more particularly. 



Scales and Aphides affect the Currants. 

 Methods for dealing with these pests 

 will be noted under their headings in 

 the Chapter "On Pests Generally." 



Damsons. — See " Plums." 



Figs. 



Fig. 6 



3 1. — Shoot of Cur- 

 RAXT Infested by 

 Phytoptus ribis. 



In the Open.— It seems strange that 

 the Fig has not been more largely grown 

 against warm walls in this country, as it 

 is quite as hardy as the Peach and 

 Nectarine, no more costly to grow^ and 

 affords a pleasing change on the table. 

 Possibly, one of the causes of neglect has 

 been that in many gardens the trees have 



proved barren, and little or no attention has consequently been 

 paid to pruning and otherwise keeping them in order. To 

 make Fig culture outside really successful, it is essential that 

 good drainage be given, as water lodging about the roots is fatal 

 to success. Next in importance to good drainage comes a rather 

 poor soil. If the trees are planted in rich soil, rampant growth, 

 with immense foliage, is made, which seldom matures, and fruit 

 is conspicuous by its absence. Lime or plaster refuse mixed 

 thoroughly with the soil before planting serves a very useful 

 purpose, by not only keeping the soil open and porous, but also 

 supplying an element necessary for the fruit. 



Having prepared the soil, there arises the question as to the 

 best time to plant. Some strongly advocate autumn planting, 

 but, if a severe winter follows, the frost is very hable to seriously 

 injure or cripple the tree ; whereas, if planted towards the end 

 of March, it has all the summer months to grow and take firm 



