September 5, 188J. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
203 
One of the most puzzling circumstances in connection with Figs is 
the casting of the fruit, which is very prevalent with plants in pots. 
Many theories have been advanced, and many articles written as to the 
probable cause of this and how to prevent it, hut with little practical 
result, for as yet nothing definite has been arrived at. It is without 
doubt due to some defect of the setting, yet how or from what cause 
this defect arises I have never been able to determine. Some varieties, 
•even particular trees, are more liable to cast their fruit than others, and 
that under all kinds of treatment; while others receiving the same 
roots standing in a pan of water, and in neither case did the tree cast its 
fruits, while others alongside treated in the usual manner did so. 
Although Figs will grow in almost any situation, there is no plant 
more benefited by the full and direct rays of the sun. The Fig house, 
therefore, should be of a light and airy description, so that the plants 
may be fully exposed to the sun’s influence, for on that depends the 
proper ripening of the wood and the production of the future crop, as 
well as the flavouring of the fruit. A vinery or some such place in 
which to start them into growth in spring is very suitable. The plants 
Fig. 29.—FIG TREE IN 
A POT AT CHISWICK. 
treatment in every respect do not cast them. It is not the sickly trees 
that are so much subject to the evil, neither is it the gross-growing ones, 
but generally those which seem in the best possible condition. It is the 
first crop, too, more rarely the second, that is cast. It is ascribed by 
some to a sudden check, to coldness, to dryness at the root or the reverse, 
■or to too much moisture at the time of setting the fruit. All of these 
conditions are injurious to a cqctain extent, yet none of them sufficiently 
accounts for the evil. It is not coldness, as the evil generally occurs at 
the warmest season of the year. It is not dryness at the root, nor 
excessive moisture, as I have had plants subjected to each extreme—the 
one pot-bound and flagging nearly every day, the other with the pot and 
may remain under the Vines until they are in full leaf, when they must 
be removed to more sunny quarters. Fig trees while growing delight in 
a close, moist, warm atmosphere. In order to start them into growth a 
temperature of 50° by night will be sufficient. As the plants advance 
the temperature may be gradually increased to 65° or 70°. During the 
summer very little fire heat will be required, as by closing the house 
early in the afternoon a very high temperature may be maintained by 
sun heat alone. By day the temperature, if by sun heat, may be allowed 
to rise to 90°, 100°, or even higher, keeping the atmosphere very moist 
by frequently syringing all over the plants, paths, &c., even in the bright 
sunshine. Iu fact, the warmer and moister the atmosphere is the better 
