PREFACE 



This volume is not intended to be a treatise upon 

 the philosophy of tree growth, but rather an every- 

 day guide for the beginner in fig culture, and a field 

 manual for the experienced grower. Abstract dis- 

 cussions of soils, plant food, available fertility and 

 the creation of wood and fruit are, therefore, avoid- 

 ed so far as possible, notwithstanding such subjects 

 form the basis of accurate knowledge about every 

 operation of farming. 



For collateral reading see bulletins 5 and 6, bu- 

 reau of plant industry, bulletin 1, division of po- 

 mology, bulletin 20, division of entomology, farm- 

 ers' bulletin 342, yearbook for 1900 of the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture ; bulletin 61 of the Georgia sta- 

 tion, bulletin 112 of the Alabama station, bulletin 

 184 of the North Carolina station, bulletin 90 of the 

 Louisiana station, and bulletin 62 of the Texas sta- 

 tion; a monograph by Roeding, of Fresno, Califor- 

 nia; Horticultural Transactions IV, 20; San Fran- 

 cisco Rural Press, issues of February 20, 1892, May 

 18, 1895, and November 2, 1901; "Guide to Fig 

 Culture," Benson; "The Caprification or the Set- 

 ting of the Fruit," Lelong, 1891 ; Placer County Re- 

 publican, Auburn, California, issue of December 29, 

 1886; "Fig Industry in Florida," Reed; "Caprifi- 

 cation," Riley, 1895; "Description of Fig Insects," 



