OUTDOOR FIGS IN WALES. 



125 



double layer should be placed, so that no opening is left for the roots to 

 extend into the cold subsoil. 



After a suitable site has been selected the next consideration must 

 necessarily be that of a fitting soil in which the Fig will flourish and bear 

 fruit without an over-luxuriant growth. I am convinced that the principal 

 cause of failure as regards the growing of Figs in Wales and elsewhere may 

 be attributed, not only to an unsuitable situation, but also to giving them 

 far too rich a soil, which over-stimulates them, especially if they should 

 happen to be young. What class of soil is used in the cultivation of the 

 Fig in Wales ? Perhaps I shall be best understood if I describe the 

 natural soil which is found here. It is what may be described as a clayey 

 loam resting upon a substratum of peat. Now Figs would thrive in this 

 soil with hardly any extra preparation ; but to be doubly sure the excavated 

 chambers should be filled with a compost consisting of fibrous loam, old 

 mortar rubble, and road scrapings in equal proportions, a little sand being 

 added to keep the whole mass porous and sweet. The absence of manure 

 will be instantly detected ; but now comes the explanation. It is best to 

 add no manure to the soil except in the form of liquids, applied when 

 necessary, for reasons before stated. I may be too emphatic in advo- 

 cating a poor soil, but after seeing so many trees become worthless through 

 a liberal use of manure I must view this matter in a light which 

 experience has proved to be correct. 



I hardly need to add that a thoroughly dry bottom is indispensable, 

 and before this end can be attained the subsoil must be thoroughly 

 drained, so that no superfluous moisture is allowed near the tender roots 

 The cultivator who possesses a natural substratum of chalk may be con- 

 sidered fortunate, for success is almost guaranteed under such circum- 

 stances, as it not only supplies ample drainage, but also prevents undue 

 extension of the roots. 



Approved Methods of Propagation. 

 Although Figs are propagated from seeds, layers, cuttings, suckers, 

 and by grafting, it is of the three former methods that I shall speak. 

 Propagation from seeds is adopted more with a view to obtaining new 

 varieties than with an intention of continuing the same varieties in their 

 primitive state. Mr. Loudon conjectured that some curious person may 

 yet discover a mode of cutting out the male blossoms without destroying 

 females, in which case the pollen from another variety may be introduced 

 to take effect alone. But as this much-to-be-desired operation has not 

 yet been achieved we shall simply state that in order to procure approved 

 seedlings the seed, obtained from thoroughly ripened fruits, must be sown 

 about February or March in a compost of light sandy loam and plunged 

 in a hot-bed until it germinates, after which the seedlings may be trans- 

 planted into small pots and kept near to the light in order to obtain 

 strong short-jointed plants. Repeated transplanting will keep them in a 

 continual growing state and also ensure perfect health. The one draw- 

 back, as regards propagation from seed, is that the plants will probably not 

 produce fruit for a period of six or seven years ; but even this is counter- 

 balanced by the probability of raising new and improved varieties which 

 will be still hardier than those now in existence. 



