A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

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F IG 225
FIG
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ance. For covering the fig in winter, the latter pirt of February ; but this is
a double thickness of old mats is advis- a very trifling operation wliere they
able, with a little mulching; a wide have been properly attended to in sumcoping
on the wall is very essential, mer, being only to cut out here and
and a canvas covering drawn over them there a superfluous shoot, or to shorten
at night in the early part of their growth one back to any naked or unfurnished
is of great benefit to them." Gard. part, in order to procure a supply of
Chron. young shoots. Then have the whole
The Mode of Bearing is very pecu- forked over between the trees, giving
liar, and influences the pruning, or them a good watering. Small fires are
rather non-pruning, which is to be pre- then to be lighted, keeping the temferred.
The fig, observes Mr. Loudon, perature at 50°, and syringing morning
*' bears, and in warmer climates brings and evening with tepid water. Air is
to maturity in every year, two succes- to be given plentifully in fine weather,
sive and distinct crops of fruit, each and when the fruit begins to grow, the
crop being produced on a distinct set temperature raised to 5o^, then to 60^,
of shoots. The shoots formed by the and so on progressively about the same
first or spring sap put forth figs at every as for vines. For the first six or seven
eye as soon as the sap begins to flow weeks water only in such quantities to
again in .)uly and August. These figs keep the soil moderately moist, but
(which fi)rm the second crop of the
year) ripen, in their native climate.
afterwards more freely.
" When the fruit is about half grown,
,
during the course of the autumn ; but commence watering freely every mornrarely
if ever come to perfection in ing, and generally about twice a week,
England ; where, though they cover with liquid manure. As soon as the
the branches in great abundance at the young shoots have attained the length
end of that season, they perish and fall of four or five inches, their points are
off w-ith the first severe frosts of winter, to be pinched out; this shoot is the
The shoots formed by the second flow < second crop wood' for the latter part
of sap, commonly called midsummer of summer or autumn, according as the
shoots, put forth figs in like manner at forcing was commenced early or late,
every eye, but not until the first flow of During the growth of the second crop
sap in the following spring. These last of fruit, the tree produces a second
mentioned figs, which form the first shoot from three to six inches long,
crop of each year, ripen in warmer
climates during the months of June and
which, w-hen properly ripened, contains
the crop in the embryo state through
the winter for the following spring. A
short time before the first crop of fruit
July, but not in this country before
September or October." Enc. Gard
Fig-House.—If a hot-house be de- is ripe, the watering overhead is disvoted
to this fruit, as it well deserves, continued and abundance of air given,
good proportions, according to Mr. As soon as practicable, the watering
Markham, arc " thirty-three feet long, overhead is to be resumed in every part
fourteen feet wide, and eleven feet
high at the back, trellised with wire
of the house where the fruit is not ap-
proaching maturity. The succession of
two inches from the wall. The trees fruit generally lasts about four months,
on this wall to be fan-trained ; the roots ,
The winter management is merely
walled in as recommended for the open to
"
keep the borders moderately dry,
wall, excepting that the spaces are to and to prevent frost from entering."
be narrower, being two feet wide and Gard. Chron.
two and a half deep ; the patli leading Forcing in Pots.— " For this purthro'ugh
the house to rest on this parti- pose," says Mr. Markham," the plants
tion wall. Between this path and the should be examined as early in the aufront,
may be a border for small stand- tumn or winter as possible, and those
ards and circular-trained trees, ranging plants that have got their roots much
from three to five feet high, all walled matted together should have them rein
with rough stones, for the same pur- duced, and potted in sweet maiden
pose as already stated. The sorts may loam, ready for the spring-forcing in
be the Nerii ; Brown Ischia ; large January or February, as they may be
White Genoa ; and Kennedy's Fig, but wanted. The pots should be plunged
the greater part the Nerii. Prune in in a half-spent tan or leaf bed, either in
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