22 
THE ELORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
I do not mean at the present time to enter into the cultivation of Figs, 
either in pots or out of doors. My chief object for consideration is to make a 
few remarks regarding the growth of Fig trees planted under glass—I mean such 
as are planted out in the border, either of Fig-liouses, or on the back wall of 
vineries. I see that in a great many places there is an abundant crop of leaves 
and wood, but fruit is rare to be seen to any extent. Why is this ? I consider 
that the predominating evil is, the Fig tree has got too much good ground to luxu¬ 
riate in, the result of which is a gross and superfluous wood. The Fig being a 
native of Asia, it must have a due share of sunlight, to organise and elaborate 
its juices, before any success can be attained. I consider that to grow the Fig 
perfect, it should be planted in a house by itself, although I am convinced very 
good Figs may be grown in a vinery, where the Vines are confined under each 
rafter. I have in one of our vineries here, which is started in February, a 
single tree of the Brown Ischia, which covers all the back wall of the house. 
I have had thirty dozen fruit for a first crop from that tree. When the young 
shoots have grown about 5 inches long, I pick out their points, and stop their 
growth ; that strengthens and encourages the first crop, and prepares wood for 
the next or second crop. The fruit is not so large in the second crop. I have 
represented the fruiting process, but I have not assigned or given my opinion 
why I think the most of Fig trees in vineries are unfruitful. Indeed, a very 
similar fault attends the most of our Fig trees grown out of doors. Firstly, the 
Fig tree naturally and particularly, if grown in rich soil, there is a large white 
core of pith, that should by all means be guarded against; for without firm and 
short-jointed, solid, matured wood and buds, we need not look for success. 
The Fig tree grown out of doors in Scotland will bear fruit more readily if 
the tree were growing in a crevice of an old-limed wall than growing in a rich 
border—a natural lesson I need not explain. But I mention this in exempli¬ 
fication of the propriety of growing the Fig tree with its roots confined to a 
given space. 
The finest crop and most productive Fig tree I ever saw was in a small 
vinery planted in an elevated brick box above the surface of the border; the 
tree covered all the back wall. The brick box or small pit it was planted in 
was only about 2 ^ feet wide, 9 feet long, 8|- feet deep, 15 inches of drainage 
at bottom; the bottom concreted, but holes made at the sides to allow the 
water to escape at the bottom. The soil used for this system should be of a 
porous nature, to allow of a liberal supply of water to be administered, of a 
stimulative nature, when the fruit is swelling. The soil should be composed of 
a good hazelly loam, lime rubbish and burnt earth, and a liberal mixture of 
bones. 
Dalmeny Park. Wm. Melville. 
ALICANTE AND BLACK PRINCE GRAPES. 
Your correspondent Mr. Saul in the Florist and Pomologist for 
January wishes to know if the above Grapes are distinct, if so, what is the 
difference ? In the first place, they are as decidedly distinct as a Ilibston 
Pippin Apple is to the Blenheim. The Black Prince is what I should call a 
summer Grape. We never can keep it later than October. As Mr. Saul has 
known this from boyhood, it is useless to say any more about it. The true 
Black Alicante—the Grape Mr. Meredith exhibited on the 14th of last month 
at South Kensington—is one of the best very late Grapes we have. The form 
of bunch resembles Black Hamburgh—broadly shouldered; berries large, oval 
(nearly twice the size of Black Prince), of a beautiful blue-black colour. The 
