THE FIG UNDER GLASS. 



301 



the boxes for Figs need not be quite so deep as 

 those recommended for Peaches, neither should they 

 be so large, at least without having divisions placed 

 across them. A box four inches deep, twenty-four 

 inches long, and divided into three compartments 

 by two transverse divisions, is a good size where 

 large quantities are grown. When large extra-ripe 

 Figs are packed for immediate use, some growers 

 use boxes divided into squares just large enough for 

 a single fruit. In every other respect the modus 

 operandi is precisely the same as that already de- 

 scribed. The secret of success in packing all kinds 

 of tender fruit consists in keeping it free from 

 bruise or taint, and in using non-odorous elastic 

 materials that will prevent the slightest movement 

 in transit. 



Dishing Pigs. — A dish of fine Figs is a noble 

 acquisition to the dessert, but being so tender they 

 require very careful handling. When large dishes 

 are used, a foundation can generally be made with 

 a layer of less tender fruit of some other kind, 

 well masked with fresh green Vine-leaves. Upon 

 these, using plenty of leaves with their points 

 slightly protruding, the Figs can be placed with the 

 apex outwards without receiving injury, as the soft 

 Vine-leaves prevent them from adhering to each 

 other, as very ripe Figs are apt to do. A fine 

 opening fruit should always be selected to crown 

 the dish. 



The most graceful and pleasing desserts are in- 

 variably set up on medium-sized raised dishes, when 

 a moderate number of fine fruits will form a hand- 

 some dish. 



Packing and Dishing for Exhibition. — 



When Figs have to be carried hundreds of miles, 

 the materials used for packing should be very dry, 

 absorbent, and pervious to air. Extra-prepared 

 moss, or soft paper shavings, answer better than 

 anything of a heating nature, and flat, shallow 

 wicker baskets are preferable to boxes. Each Fig 

 should be folded in a large Vine-leaf, and bedded in 

 the packing, with a layer of shavings over all to keep 

 them from moving. Figs, like Peaches, should not 

 be crowded together or touch each other on the dish, 

 the latter should therefore be well filled with moss 

 to throw them up, and each fruit should be placed, 

 apex outwards, on a Vine-leaf, a fine one being 

 reserved for the centre. The telling points are size, 

 colour, and uniform ripeness. 



Varieties of Pigs.— Although the varieties of 

 Figs are now very numerous, it rarely happens, except 

 in the case of pot-culture, that many kinds are found 

 growing in one garden. For all general purposes 



it is questionable if the old Brown Turkey and 

 White Marseilles have yet been surpassed. Add 

 to these Osborne's Prolific and Negro Largo, and 

 varieties fit to give a choice supply of fruit from 

 April up to December are at command. For the 

 benefit of those who are not well acquainted with 

 Figs the following list will be found reliable. 



Select List of Figs. 



1. Angelique, or Madeline- 

 medium size ; skin yel- 

 low ; flesh white, tinged 

 with red ; proline and 

 forces well. 



2. Bourjasotte, Black — me- 

 dium size ; skin black ; 

 flesh red ; juice rich and 

 syrupy. Excellent. 



3. Bourjasotte, Grizzly — 

 medium size ; oblate ; 

 skin brown ; flesh dark 

 red; rich and delicious. 

 One of the best. 



4. Brown Turkey, or Lee's 

 Perpetual — large ; pyri- 

 form ; skin purple ; flesh 

 red and highly flavoured. 

 The best Fig for general 

 cultivation in pots, bor- 

 ders, or on open walls. 



5. Brunswick — large, pyri- 

 f orm ; skin dark ; flesh 

 red ; well suited for walls 

 or Fig-cases, but does not 

 force well. 



6. Castle Kennedy — very 

 large ; round and hand- 

 some ; skin chestnut co- 

 lour; flesh red dish- brown. 

 A vigorous grower, but 

 shy, adapted for a high 

 wall enclosed with glass. 



7. Col di Signora Bianca — 

 medium size ; pyriform ; 

 skin green ; flesh blood- 

 red ; rich and good. 



8. Col di Signora Nero — 

 large ; pyriform ; skin 

 dark chocolate, with grey 

 bloom; flesh dark red; 

 rich and sugary ; a good 

 late Fig. 



9. Datte— medium size, ob- 

 late ; flesh dark red ; rich 

 and syrupy. An excellent 

 Fig for forcing. 



10. Dauphine d'Argenteuil, 

 or Grosse Violette — very 

 large ; prolific. Said to 

 be of excellent quality. 



11. Dr. Hogg — mediumsize; 

 black ; flesh red ; juicy 

 and rich. Very handsome 

 when grown under glass. 



12. Early Violet — very 

 small; forces well in rxrts, 

 but too small. Surpassed 

 by others. 



13. Fig d' Or — large; bronzy- 



yellow ; nrolific and excel- 

 lent. 



14. Grosse Monstreuse de 

 Lipari — large ; prolific, 

 and said to be excellent. 



15. Grosse Verte — large; 

 greenish - yellow ; flesh 

 dark red; vigorous grower. 

 A good variety. 



16. Ischia, Black, Nero, or 

 EarJy Forcing — medium 

 size ; skin black ; flesh 

 red. A good old Fig. 



17. Ischia, Brown— large ; 

 globular ; flesh red ; pro- 

 lific and excellent. 



18. Ischia, Green — small ; 

 turbinate ; prolific and 

 forces well in pots. 



19. Ischia, White, or Single- 

 ton Perpetual — small; ob- 

 long ; skin brown ; flesh 

 purple ; sweet and rich ; 

 prolific. Forces well in 

 or out of pots. 



20. Marseilles, Black, or 

 Black Provence — small ; 

 oblong ; dark brown ; 

 flesh rich ; forces well and 

 an abundant bearer. 



21. Marseilles, White, Eaby 

 Castle, or White Genoa — 

 medium size ; round ; pale ' 

 green; flesh very rich. 

 Bears abundantly on walls 

 in the open air, and forces 

 well. Does well in pots. 

 Most excellent. 



22. Negro Largo — large; 

 oblong ; black ; flesh pale 

 red ; rich, tender, and 

 juicy. Forces well in or 

 out of pots ; hardy and 

 prolific. One of the best. 



23. Osborne's Prolific- 

 above medium size; pale 

 green ; flesh white ; qua- 

 lity excellent. One of the 

 best, but being tender, it 

 should be ripened with 

 plenty of air. It is well 

 adapted for forcing in 

 pots and planting out in 

 a hot or cold house. 



24. Williams' Prolific— py- 

 riform ; flesh sweet and 

 luscious ; a good pot Fig, 

 forces well, and suitable 

 for cold house or walls. 



With the exception of Nos. 5 and 6, all the pre- 

 ceding varieties are adapted to fruiting in pots, but 

 all are not alike suitable for early forcing. For 

 starting very early and growing in quantity, Nos. 

 4, 21, 22, and 23 will be found invaluable. If 

 variety be the object, Nos. 14, 19, and 20 may 

 be added. 



