October  6,  1898, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER , 
267 
CARPENTERIA  CALIFORNICA. 
We  can  authoritatively  inform  “  G.  R.”  that  Carpenteria  californica  is 
not  of  recent  introduction,  though  we  cannot  say  that  it  is  commonly  seen. 
This  may  account  for  his  not  having  noticed  it  in  any  of  his  previous 
situations.  We  can  best  answer  his  question  as  to  its  appearance  by  the 
reproduction  of  an  excellent  engraving  (fig.  47)  and  a  brief  descriptive 
vote.  It  ranks  among  the  most  beautiful  of  hardy  shrubs,  and 
OUTDOOR  FIG  CULTURE. 
C  Continued  from  page  242. ) 
Pruning. 
This  is  not  much  required,  except  to  keep  the  branches  thinned, 
and  most  of  that  should  be  attended  to  in  summer,  so  as  to  leave  only 
the  shoots  required  for  bearing.  Too  much  pruning  usually  results 
in  an  increase  of  soft,  unproductive  wood,  especially  when  the  roots 
Fig  47.— CARPENTERIA  CALIFORNICA. 
when  in  bloom  in  early  summer  produces  a  very  fine  effect.  As  depicted 
in  the  engraving  the  flowers  are  large,  pure  white,  and  have  yellow 
stamens,  which  enhance  their  appearance  considerably.  The  blooms, 
moreover,  are  fragrant,  and  usually  produced  in  bunches  at  the  tips  of 
the  branches.  This  Carpenteria  grows  to  a  height  of  8  or  10  feet,  and 
appreciates  the  shelter  of  a  wall,  although  it  will  thrive  in  almost  any 
situation  that  is  favourable  to  similar  shrubs. 
are  in  rich  soil,  for  Fig  trees  only  fail  to  produce  fruit  through 
immaturity  of  wood  and  cutting  off  the  bearing  branches,  hence  the 
adage,  “  A  pruned  Fig  tree  never  bears.”  Yet  the  knife  must  be 
employed  to  keep  the  trees  in  form  and  within  the  assigned  limits. 
Most  success  attends  the  pruning  that  is  confined  to  the  removal  of 
exhausted  and  useless  branches,  and  providing  a  succession  of  bearing 
shoots  throughout  the  trees.  New  growths  should  be  encouraged 
from  parts  near  the  stem,  where  they  are  required  to  replace  any  that 
