FIGS. 



159 



the most satisfactory way to start a fig orchard — planting the 

 cuttings deep, just where they are to stay, for the fig is much 

 like the pine-apple with regard to its roots ; the latter object so 

 strongly to transplanting, that they are very likely to die, or, at 

 least, lie dormant for months, or even years, while new roots are 

 forming alongside of them, and outstripping them in the race. 



AYe heard not long since of a gentleman who set out several 

 fine young fig-trees, procured from a nursery ; the trees did not 

 die ; they lived, but that was all they did do for more than 

 three years, and so disgusted was their owner, that he was on the 

 peint of digging them up, and throwing them away, when, hap- 

 pening to relate his experience to a wiser neighbor, the latter 

 bade him let them be as they were. 



" I have often remarked," said he, that almost invariably 

 a fig-tree transplanted will lie comparatively dormant for four 

 years, and then start out, grow rapidly, and bear prolifically for 

 years upon years. Wait a few months longer ; your four years 

 are nearly up, and then you will see." 



So the fig-owner waited, and he did see. The condemned 

 trees suddenly awoke to life, and put on a vigorous growth. In 

 one season they gained as much bearing surface as could reason- 

 ably have been expected in three seasons, and the following year, 

 and every year thereafter, these awakened trees bore heavy 

 crops of fruit. 



A cutting, placed in permanent position, with the ground 

 properly prepared and suitable, after treatment given, w^ill out- 

 strip any transplanted fig-tree. 



Wherever the future tree is to stand — and if there is clay 

 near the surface, so much the better — a hole three feet in diam- 

 eter, and two feet deep should be excavated, the top soil 

 thrown to one side, the sub-soil to another ; then a compost of 

 muck, forest leaves, and stable or hen manure, or some commer- 

 cial fertilizer, should be thoroughly incorporated with the top 

 soil, and the hole filled in, and tightly packed with this mixture- 



If the compost 'is moist, as it should be, the fig-cutting may 

 be thrust down, sloping in the centre of the spot thus prepared, 

 the earth packed firmly around it (in this last lies the secret of 



