FIG. 177 



soil and site be well chosen; and provided also that 

 due care and skill be bestowed and employed. 



The author has cultivated but few varieties of the 

 fig; but such as he has presented here, may be de- 

 pended upon for the character herein given of them ; 

 and he flatters himself that there are but few kinds 

 in this country that are superior to those which he 

 describes in the following list. As the fruit ripen 

 earlier or later, according to the state of the weather, 

 the average date, by comparison of several years, is 

 given ; and the sorts are arranged iu the order of 

 their ripening as nearly as possible. When the 

 colour is mentioned, it refers to that of the mature 

 fruit. 



1. Earli/ White MarsdUes Fig. — Ripens middle 

 of August. The fruit is small, transversely round, 

 and somewhat depressed ; stalk short and thick ; 

 colour yellowish-white without and within ; pulp 

 mellow, though not so much so as some others, yet 

 rich and well flavoured. The tree is one of the 

 hardiest, and a good bearer ; is most suitable for 

 forcing, either in pots, or in a figgery built for the 

 purpose. The most successful expedient for ma- 

 turing the fig, was in a pit two feet wide and two feet 

 deep, built along the front of a peach-house at the 

 earl of Thanet's, Hothfield, in Kent. The pit was 

 filled with good rich earth, and the trees were 

 planted and kept as low standards ; and where they 

 remained for many years, annually yielding great 

 crops. Surrendon Gardens, of which the author 

 had charge, was in the vicinity ; and where 



