December 2, 1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
497 
FORCING FIGS IN POTS. 
J^j^^T^^RACTICAL horticulturists have hitherto done 
very creditable work in bringing almost every 
available fruit capable of being forced, into 
popularity for the dessert, but somehow the 
luscious Fig has not had the same attention 
devoted to it, nor been brought with rapid 
strides into daily use. The Fig appears to be re¬ 
garded as an aristocratic fruit, for the number of 
dishes of forced Figs shown at our first-class exhibitions 
is generally very small in comparison with other kinds 
of fruit, and we are led naturally to ask why that should be 
so. It cannot be, I think, because gardeners are reluctant to 
place the matter before their employers, since a man who 
takes a pride in forcing Grapes would also be equally able and 
willing to force Figs; neither can it arise from any great diffi¬ 
culty in cultivation, nor from the expense attached to the work, 
for where Vines can be forced Fig trees can be forced also at 
the same time and in the same house. On reflection I have 
thought, that as the Fig is a very ancient fruit, and its wants 
in the matter of forcing have been lucidly handed down to us 
by former generations of gardeners when there were not half 
the conveniences for forcing that there are now, there can be no 
special liking for the fruit in this country, or it would be more 
extensively grown. However, the fact remains that Figs have 
not obtained any prominent position on the dessert table. 
I find from what I have read that gardeners fifty or a hundred 
years ago took great pains to bring the Fig to perfection out 
of doors, and their ideas of forcing the trees in heated struc¬ 
tures were much in advance of the means at their command 
for doing it. Now there is no lack of suitable houses for 
forcing the fruit, and I think an effort should be made to bring 
it more frequently into use, and with that object in view I will 
give my plan of forcing Fig trees. I am aware it is not new, 
but I have in every instance proved it a good and successful 
one, and hence it is worthy of record in the Journal. 
Those who intend forcing a few trees should purchase some 
of medium size—say of two or three years' growth in pots, 
not those planted out. They will at this time of the year have 
several bearing shoots, and ought to be compact well-grown 
plants with the pots full of roots. If the plants or miniature 
trees are grown on a stem rising a foot from the pot before 
branching out so much the better, as then they will not be 
liable to throw up suckers, which ought always to be pre¬ 
vented after the trees are well formed. Next turn them out of 
the pots and cut quite two-thirds of their roots off. I used to cut 
them off with a chopper. After this pot the trees in some 
rich soil similar to that used for Cucumbers, and press it into 
the pots as firmly as possible to within 2 inches of the rims, 
then wash the trees the same as Vines are washed, or paint 
them with a mixture that is used for Vines. Water the roots 
and place the trees under temporary protection until the 
forcing house is ready. 
Figs thrive well in gentle bottom heat, and this should be 
prepared for them either in a house to themselves or in a 
pit in the vinery. This bed is made up of farmyard manure 
and leaves prepared as if for Cucumbers. After the heat has 
declined sufficiently the pots must be plunged up to the rims ; 
but it will be safer if they are previously placed upon the bed, 
afterwards half plunged, and then finally plunged. Although 
Fig trees are not quite so easily started into growth as Vines 
are, they succeed admirably in the same house ; therefore I 
need not describe their treatment in detail, it will be suffi¬ 
cient to state that the trees must be frequently syringed and 
watered at the roots. The pots soon become full of roots, and, 
indeed, so vigorously do the roots move that they are soon 
through the bottom of the pots and running into the bed of 
manure. When that is found to be the case the bed must be 
watered occasionally, and at this stage the soil in the pots must 
never be allowed to become dry ; in fact, from this time the 
whole crop is dependent upon a plentiful supply of water, 
with liquid manure three times a week. Top-dressing, too, 
must be done as soon as necessary, as the Fig is a gross feeder, 
and the means of sustenance must be liberally and promptly 
supplied. As the Vines advance so will the Figs, but by be¬ 
coming root-bound so soon their growth is not too vigorous, 
but just of that medium character so necessary to fruitfulness ; 
however, some of the shoots will need the points pinched out 
when the fruit is swelling-off before ripening. 
If the trees are started in December with the Vines, the 
Figs will be ripe at the latter end of May or the beginning of 
June. The trees should be allowed to remain in the house 
and ripen their wood in the same way as the Vines. The 
leaves will gradually turn yellow and drop off before those of 
of the Vines ; the trees may be taken out of the bed and 
plunged in the open ground until the autumn, then to be 
afforded protection in a cool dry shed until they are wanted 
again for forcing. If the trees are taken proper care of most of 
the embryo fruits on the current growth will remain on, and 
will produce the first crop the following year, and the second 
crop will be advancing while the first crop is ripening. This 
second crop will prove the larger as well as the better crop of 
the two. 
By the above method of culture the Figs come much finer 
and of better flavour, and at the same time are more numerous 
than if the trees are started into growth withffheir pots full 
of roots as some advise, for it is the roots that must have the 
first and the best attention. —Thomas Record. 
FANCY PANSIES.—No. 2. 
Several kind letters from authorities on Pansies have reache d 
me since No. 1 (p. 435) appeared, corroborating all I advanced 
in support of the proposition that the Fancy varieties are rapidly 
supplanting the shows. One friend, the Secretary of the Scottish 
Pansy Society, says, “ I am glad you are writing about_the Fancy 
Pansies, as that class has quite eclipsedjthe Shows, not only with 
NO. 23.— You. I., Thiro Series. 
No. 1679.—Vcr.. LA IV., OLD SERIES 
