VARIATIONS IN TYPES 



"1 



leading to such information if desired, and as habits 

 of growth are rapidly modified by changes of soil, 

 climate and moisture, hard and fast descriptions 

 often mislead, their value being chiefly historical. 

 A tree grows accustomed to its surroundings, and 

 will gradually adapt itself to new conditions. If 

 removed toward the poles, or if taken from rich 

 soil to poor or dry ground, its tendency is to become 

 dwarfed, though remaining healthy; and dwarfed 

 trees may be encouraged in growth by removal to 

 richer soil and places having longer seasons. Varia- 

 tions in types are also produced by manipulating 

 tops, and by treating the soil. These are often mis- 

 taken for new creations, and become so fixed in time 

 as to be distinguished from the original stock. 



Figs grown close to trees having male flowers 

 sometimes contain fertile seed, which can be ascer- 

 tained by putting them in water, for those which 

 are sterile float, while good seed sink. Male flow- 

 ers are usually grown on caprifigs, and new varie- 

 ties can be readily propagated from them. They 

 should be planted in sandy loam, about half an 

 inch deep, and protected with glass until several 

 inches high to prevent excessive evaporation. After 

 the first year they may be set in nursery rows. 



Seed generally produce wild figs, which are 

 worthless. While, doubtless, valuable varieties were 

 thus bred in ancient times, we have no authen- 

 tic account of them. The Mitchell and the Mes- 

 lin are supposed to be more recent seedlings. 



