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LII. On ripening the second Crop of Figs, that grow on the 

 new Shoots. By the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. 

 K. B. P. R. S. £c. 



Read January 6, 1812. 



As my gardener, * at Revesby Abbey in Lincolnshire, has 

 made an improvement in his profession which appears to me 

 important, I think it my duty to lay an account of it before 

 the Horticultural Society ; and I consider it also a duty 

 due to him to add, that the whole has been conducted by 

 his suggestions, and carried into exeution by his personal 

 industry. 



An old Fig Tree, that had stood more than half a cen- 

 tury against a south wall, was used to bear, in good sea- 

 sons, a moderate crop of what are called first Figs, that is, 

 those that grow from the old wood of the preceding year; 

 but though it produced also abundance of second Figs grow- 

 ing upon the new wood of the present year, none of these 

 ever attained their full size, but all dropped off on the recur- 

 rence of cold weather. 



As the usual residence of my family in Lincolnshire is 

 during the months of September and October, it became an 

 object of importance to procure a supply of Figs for those 

 months : this could only be done by ripening the second crop, 

 which, though they are matured in warmer countries, are in 

 our climate an useless burthen to the tree. 



* His name is James Gardiner. 



