72 
THE FLORIST. 
that ever observed in their native country. This fact goes far to show the 
adaptability of the English climate to Fig culture, or at any rate the 
southern portion thereof. But this adaptability does not appear to have 
been taken advantage of in late years as formerly. In the earlier volumes 
of the “ Transactions of the Horticultural Society” are some very in¬ 
teresting accounts of Fig gardens and prolific Fig trees, then existing 
in the southern counties; and, although it appears from those reports 
there seldom failed a crop—although like all other fruit in this change¬ 
able climate, the quality varied—I remember seeing in Sussex a fine old 
standard tree in 1846, literally covered with fruit, then ripening; the 
proprietor afterwards told me that he gathered upwards of eighty dozen 
from it, and that the birds and wasps consumed fully twenty dozen 
more; and this tree never had more care bestowed upon it than is gene¬ 
rally bestowed upon standard Apples or Plums, yet was equally or more 
sure of a crop. 
The people of England do not appear to relish the Fig with that 
degree of keenness that our Continental neighbours do both in France and 
Italy. It is constantly to be met with at the table both in its ripe and 
unripe state, either stewed or fried, as well as at their desserts. It 
appears to be more appreciated here in its dried state than otherwise, very 
large importations of which are annually received from the isles and 
borders of the Mediterranean, especially Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, 
and the south of France, the yearly increase in which shows that it is 
not now looked upon with the same contempt as when it gave rise to 
the common expression of “ not worth a Fig.” A diversity of opinion 
appears to exist as to whether this expression originated in England; 
but if so it would be upon its first introduction. We find from an in¬ 
scription which was upon the wall against a celebrated Fig tree in the 
garden of the Dean of Winchester, that King James the First had 
tasted the fruit of that tree with great pleasure, in the year 1623. 
Shakspeare also appears to have appreciated the Fig, for in “ Mid¬ 
summer Night’s Dream” he makes Titania say:— 
“Feed him with Apricots and Dewberrys 
With purple Grapes, green Figs, and Mulberrys.” 
Cultivation .—The Fig will thrive in almost any kind of soil, but for 
out-door culture I should choose a dry and not over rich mould for them, 
in a light and airy situation : I have found a too rich soil cause them to 
grow too luxuriant and succulent; consequently the wood has not been 
sufficiently ripened to stand the winter ;—short-jointed, well-ripened 
wood being the object to attain if a crop of fruit is expected. In the 
southern counties of England I should not plant Figs against the walls, 
as I consider that dwarf standards do equally well if not better than 
trees upon walls, if planted in warm sheltered situations. These will 
require but little attention, merely going over in October to cut out all 
decayed branches, and to keep the centres open for the admission of 
light. 
North of the Thames I consider the aid of a wall indispensable for 
the well-being of this fruit; and in the north of England it requires 
the aid of a slight protecting material, either mats, or what is better. 
