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XVII. Memoranda respecting the Culture of Fig Trees, in 

 the open air, in England* Drawn up at the desire of the 

 Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. G. C. B. By 

 the Right Honourable William Wickham. 



Read February 3, 1818. 



The Fig Tree is distinguished from most, if not from all 

 other trees, by this extraordinary property, that it bears, 

 and, in warmer climates, brings to maturity, in every year, 

 two successive and distinct crops of fruit, each crop being 

 produced on a distinct set of shoots. 



The shoots, formed by the first, or spring sap, put forth 

 figs at every eye, as soon as the sap begins to flow again in 

 July and August. These Figs, (which form the second crop of 

 the year) ripen, in their native climate, during the course of 

 the autumn ; but rarely, if ever, come to perfection, in Eng- 

 land, where, though they cover the branches in great abun- 

 dance, at the end of that season, they perish, and fall off, 

 with the first severe frosts of winter. The shoots, formed 

 by the second flow of sap, commonly called Midsummer shoots, 

 put forth figs in like manner, at every eye, but not until the 

 first flow of sap, in the following spring. These last men- 

 tioned figs, which form the first crop of each year, ripen, in 

 warmer climates, during the months of June and July, but 

 not in this country before September or October. 



In warmer climates, indeed, very little attention is given 

 to this first crop, because the midsummer shoots, on which 



* See Note A. 



