On ripening the second Crop of Figs. 253 



In order to attempt this improvement, the Gardener was 

 provided with a glass case, large enough to cover the whole 

 of the tree, fitted close upon the wall, and projecting from 

 it in front four feet and a half at the bottom, and two feet 

 three inches at the top. This was warmed by a flue sunk 

 in the wall, and heated by a fire-place fixed under ground, 

 which made one return, and vented its smoke by a chimney 

 at the other end. Within this case was fixed a trellis of wood, 

 between the wall and the front, leaning towards the wall, and 

 to this were trained the branches of the Fig Tree, tied rather 

 loosely to the bars. 



In the first week of February the Gardener began his fires, 

 gently bringing the tree into leaf, guarding with the utmost 

 care against frost. When the fruit began to appear from the 

 old wood, he pulled it off; but as soon as any sign of fruit- 

 buds broke out on the new wood, he gave the tree as much 

 air as possible in the day time, carefully covering it up in the 

 night, and protecting it with all possible diligence against any 

 chilling cold * As the summer proceeded, he gave air in the 

 night as well as the day. In the middle of September some 

 of the Figs were ripe ; these proved excellent in flavour. 

 Early in October the crop became abundant, sufficient to 

 afford a regular supply for the table ; he then renewed his 

 fires. The October fruit was not at first so soft and luscious 

 as it had been in September, but it was sweet and much ap- 

 proved ; some of the Figs gathered on the 31st of October 

 were softer and higher flavoured than the generality of the 



* When the Figs on the young wood were about the size of large Pease, 

 the ends of the shoots were pinched off, and not suffered to make more wood 

 Experience must prove whether this practice ought to be pursued. 



