The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-11-12

GaCeQ so easily, anu CIlaC " III u ON"OS
larger results, in so short a time. A
branch or cutting placed in the
ground at any time during the months
Of December, January and February,
is certain to grow, and with any sort
OF care, will produce good crop the
third year.
We have planted a large branch,
well set with buds in January, which
has produced fruit and ripened the
first season.
VARIETIES.
The Celeste is probably the best
known variety in Louisiana. 1t can
be grown in almost any situation.
Nearly every garden and back yard
of the city Of New Orleans can boast
of one or more specimens, and it is
more valued for family use than any
other species that we know of. Next,
we will mention
THE STMATRA,
double the size of the Celeste, very
sweet and excellent for drying or
preserving.
The green Smyrna is also valuable
on account of its earliness. This is
the common summer fig of Palestine
and although rather coarse and dry,
will, by it's extreme earliness, com.
mand good price in the market.
THE GREEN 1sCHIA.
Skin of a light green when ripe,
flesh of bright strawberry color,
and so sweet when in that condition,
that if punctured the juice exuding
will crystslize in few seconds.
THB LARGE WHITE GENOA,
color yellowish white, the inside of a
golden yellow when ripe. In that
state it is an excellent table fruit, and |
one of the most valuable for preserv-
ing and drying. Size, very large, |
equal to medium pear, which it |
much resembles. We consider this |
variety a great acquisition, and should |
be in every collection.
THE BLACK GENOA.
Size, very large, of an oval shape,
and when allowed to ripen perfectly
on the tree, of fine quality. We con
slider this very valuable on account
OF its keeping qualities, and have no
doubt, if properly packed, would
stand forty. eight hours trip by rail.
THE BRUNSWICK
is also of mammoth size, and from its
fine appearance, always draws pre-
MUM at our fruit fairs. With us it is
very shy bearer, shedding most of
it's fruit before ripening. However,
the quality is excellent and it will be
popular on account of its beautiful |
appearance.
Among other varieties brought to
our notice, we will mention the Brown
Turkey, Black Ischia, White Smyrna
and several others not named-al
good, and succeed nearly everywhere.
PRoPAGATING.
The fig is so easily grown from cut
tings, that we rarely use any other
method. 1t has been our practice to
plant in nursery rows about two and
one.half feet wide, setting the cut
tings about twelve to fifteen inches
apart in the rows. This is generally
done in the winter season. Nearly
every cutting grows. The young
trees should be we'll cultivated dur
ing the spring and summer, and in
the fall it was our practice to remove
them from the nursery rows, tie them
in bundles, and heeled in where they
could be protected from the cold of
the first winter. During themonth OF
February they may be transplanted
into the permanent orchard.
The ground previously we'll pre-
pared and tertilized, should it be nee
essary. The young trees planted in
shallow burrows which may be laid
off with plow, leaving the trees
standing at least twenty feet apart.
We give them ample space tor the |
reason that the fig is rampant grow
er, and will soon, if well cultivated,
fill the intervening space.
TRAINING.
We advocate low training, a tree
should not be allowed to branch
higher than four to five feet from the
ground; this will shade the trunk
and be more convenient tor gather.
ing the fruit.
DISEASES.
1t is only within few years that
we have noticed any disease among
our fig trees, but with a little care
they can be easily combatted. First,