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FIG CULTURE 



our most fixed methods of horticulture. Whether 

 this means of conserving moisture and supplying 

 nitrogen will be available to fig growers is problem- 

 atical; at least there are serious obstacles to its 

 use, for, under a mulch, the trees have such a tend- 

 ency to develop shallow roots, at the expense of 

 deeper growth, that nematodes ravaging near the 

 surface, where ground does not freeze, so greatly in- 

 jure them that a general application of mulching 

 should not be attempted until experiments have 

 demonstrated its value in each locality. Young trees 

 should certainly receive no mulches until their low- 

 er roots are considerably developed. But realizing 

 the remarkable stimulation that is given almost 

 every plant by shading the ground, thus improving 

 both the quantity and quality of fruit, this work 

 should continue in the expectation of finding some 

 practical way for its beneficial application to these 

 trees. 



