National Republican., 1880-08-26
TIE HoRrIcrLruRAn SOCIETY.
An Evening Devoted to Figs-Tho Approach
ing Exhibition.


The Horticultural society met last night at
German hall, John Saul esq presiding and
Mr.. w. Gillingham secretary. There was
fino collection of flowers, figs and grapes;
among the latter, COncordl ,Catawbas, Marthas
Aliens, Hybrids, X lgeIs aud others. There
were several piles Of figs raised in this section
of tho country, and one Of the cuiiosities Of
the meeting was Gg leaf pluckod from q
FIG tree brought to England by the celebrated
Thomas u Beckett, archbishop Of CaHtcrbery,
some GOO years ago, which tree has borne fruit
every year. When 1t was announced that
figs grow luxurianty in England and that II
large crop Is raised every year on the shores Of
the English channel, there seemed to bo no
difficulty in raising that fruit at pleasure in
this country.
The new members elected were William
Cammack, II. V. Cotton and Thomas Il. Hardo-
man.
Mr. George +. Noedham then delivered an
essay on the cultivation of figs. He prcmced
the essay by claiming that we cat too much
meat and not enough fruit. 1t was in the in.
torest both OF health, economy and good morals
that we Should cultivate fruit more largely
than we do. He related humorous incident
how some young lady ncighbors Of his on Mis-
souri, avenue, when he resided there some
years ago, used to steal peaches from his tree.
Ho maintained that corn and potatoes for eN'
ample, were not profitable crops in Maryland,
as potatoes cost him more to raise than to buy
them, and the Maryland land would not yield
more than 100 bushels Of corn to the acre.
Fruit, however, could be grown profltably,
and would raise the price Of land from
So to $50 and even $500 per acre Figs
in this latitude. Two or throo crops Of figs
can DO raised yearly the FIRST crop being very
largo. No worms bugs or Othcr evils affected
the fg.trec in this country. He read letter
from n gentleman in England detailing his
experience and observation of fig.culture in
the neighborhood of Brighton, Sussex Eng.
land, where it grow proluscly and yielded a
profitable crop. The fig had a special medic
inal virtue. 1t did not endure too great
amount OF heat. lie went on to show that figs
could be and were grown proftably in the
north, In Ohio, around Baltimore and else.
where The great secret Of fg growing was
in protecting them. Fig trees need some pro-
lection, butless labor was necessary in this than
in growing any other fruit. There are few
nights in September usually wheu tho weather
is quite cool. lie himself protected his figs in
the winter by digging q furrow, removing
the earth around the roots, laying the trees In
the furrow and covering them 10 the depth
of about two inches. This amply protected
them, and in tho spring he raises the trees,
which 90 on bearing fruit. lie cited the case
of a gentleman in the District, lig.grower,
WIN lNtNiNtu lltll HAulllllltHl ElbNtI III WIS
city fifty cents dozen for the first quality OF
figs that he raised. Mr.. Needham's paper was
a practical essay, full of valuable suggestions
and practical hints. 1t was discussed
by Messrs. Saul, Curtis, Mrs. Smith and
others. A vote of thanks was extended to
Mr.. Necdham. The exhibition and fair of tho
society will take place at Masonic temple,
September q to q, inclusive, opening at 10
o'clock in the morning Of the first day and
remaining open daily from that hour o 10 y, All,
All flowers, fruits and vegetables oiGf'ered for
premiums must 10 grown by the competitors.
A.! inIe.;or specimens will be excluded from
exhibition. Hanging baskets, parlor flower.
stands and fernerios intended for exhibition
shall contain only plants that have been
growing in them for ut least one month
The hall will be omen on Monday, Sep.
tomber go, at 10 o'clock q. IN, for the
reception Of specimens. all of which must be
entered and arranged by 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning. Cut flowers, etc, may be received
at any time during the exhibition. 1t wai
stated that there was 10 question about the
success OF the exhibition.
A superb basket OF ten roses, twenty differ.
eut varieties, all ever.blooming was exhibited
by Mrs Moot.
Tho society adjourned till the last Wedues
lny in SeptCmber