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JOUENAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
old mortar rubble. This not only keeps the plant supplied with a requi- 
site food, but also assists in keeping the soil open, or more porous. Such 
loam as that from Banstead in Surrey needs to have another quality 
added to it, such as a tough fibrous loam that will not in process of time 
become too close. This is our plan ; to it we add old mortar or lime- 
rubble worked down through a half -inch sieve or something approaching 
it in size of mesh. Decomposed manure, such as that from a Melon bed, 
with an equal amount of leaf soil, makes an excellent addition. We do 
not add any artificial manures at this stage, but prefer to leave their 
application until the fruits are showing, and then even they should be 
sparingly used, a pinch between the finger and thumb being ample for 
one application. This may alternate with liquid manure made from fresh 
horse droppings rather than that from the cowyard. Once a week for 
each is ample. 
Top dressing. — We attach considerable importance to this method of 
supplying additional nourishment to the plants when they have already 
filled their pots with roots and in time to render aid to them for fully 
developing their fruits. This is composed of similar soil with rather 
more manure added to it. In applying it, room around the stem should 
be left for watering, whilst it must be pressed down firmly. The roots 
will quickly find this out and at once assimilate it. 
Watering. — When growing Figs in pots see to it that they are well 
supplied with water. If allowed to become dry, so that the foliage droops, 
they must subsequently suffer. 
Varieties recommended for pot culture. — The varieties that I recom- 
mend for pot culture are as follows : — For first early forcing, St. John or 
Pingo-de-Mel, which will fruit equally well as the late varieties in pots 
of corresponding size. If grown at the start in six or eight inch pots a 
good return may be had. Brown Turkey will be a reliable succession, but 
it must be started at about the same time. Then White Marseilles will 
follow. For the main crop repeat the two last named and add Bourjassotte 
Grise with Violette Sepor. For late forcing Negro Largo is one of the very 
best ; it can be relied upon until the end of October. The next is Nebian or 
Grosse Verte, which is at its best during September and October. Another 
good late Fig is Bourjassotte Noir, which crops well and does not split its 
fruit. The latest Fig of all is D'Agen, which we kept last year until 
Christmas day ; it is likewise of most delicious flavour. As a delicacy I can 
strongly recommend White Ischia, and I have no doubt whatever that 
both the Black and the Brown Ischia are equally as good. The White 
Ischia is a most abundant bearer and of delicious flavour ; it is better 
grown as an autumn Fig than for early forcing. I find also that Angelique 
is best under similar conditions. Large Black Douro is an excellent 
autumn variety, somewhat flat in shape, very dark in colour, and most 
prolific ; it is not so generally known as it deserves to be. If I were con- 
fined to six varieties I would grow St. John, Brown Turkey, Bourjassotte 
Grise, Negro Largo, Nebian, and D'Agen. This list includes both early 
and late varieties. 
