386 On the Cultivation of the Fig. 
to which the French attach the idea ofa calumniator, and adroit trickster, 
(un calomniateur, un miatre fourbe,) has been derived from two Greek 
words, whose simple meaning conveys no idea ofthe modern acceptation 
of the compound word. [Sukouy a fig ; and phano, show, make appear, 
or manifest) In Athens it was applied to persons, who gave informa- 
tion of the clandestine exportation of Figs. It is inferred from this fact, 
that the Athenians considered Figs as a fruit of such great importance, as 
to cause the prohibition of their export from Attica, 
Varieties. — I am of opinion, that there are not so many varieties 
as there are names. If the Horticultural Society of London, would 
publish a descriptive list of all the Figs known in this country, together 
with their synonymes, it would be of great benefit to the lovers of that 
inestimable fruit, in this and even in other countries. 
Propagation. — Figs may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layers, 
suckers, &c. I consider cuttings and suckers the best and most expedi- 
tious methods. Br/ Cuttings, — about the middle of March, take off what 
vou may want, with about an inch of the old wood ; cut the end square 
across with a short knife, not shortening the tops, plant them singly in 
pots. No. 48's, in a mixture of loam and leaf soil, with a little sand, 
firm the soil well about them, plunge them in a frame with a gentle bot- 
tom heat, shade them in bright sun-shiny weather, till they have made a 
few roots, and by the middle of May, or beginning of June, the pots will 
be full of roots, when they may be planted in nursery rows, or where 
they are to remain; or shifted into larger pots, and put in the houses, when 
you will have a little fruit th.e first year. By Suckers, if you can get 
them any size, I consider very good; even although the most eminent 
Horticulturalists say it is bad, and that the trees are apt to retain the 
vicious habit of throwing up an unsightly crowd of suckers from the 
roots, but I do not find it so. There are a number of trees here, raised 
from suckers about eight years ago, which do not show the least sign of 
suckers. I find that trees grown in pots, throw up suckers, whether 
raised from cuttings or suckers. 
Soil. The Fig tree will grow in almost any soil, provided it is not 
very wet at bottom. I agree with Miller, that they bear best upon chalky 
land, where there is a foot or moie of gentle loamy soil on the top. 
They also love a free open air, for although they will shoot and thrive 
very well in close confined places, yet they seldom produce any fruit in 
such situations. 
Situation. — In the southern counties of England, I consider dwarf 
standards preferable to planting against a wall. There are growing- in 
this garden, several large standards, three of which, according to the 
best a\ithority I can find, have been planted 150 years; one of them is 
about twenty feet high and sixty feet in circumference, the stem at the 
