The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-04-26
(Comtinued from 1St pdge.)

always prove the most fruitful. Figs
as rule produce suckers from the
roots in abundance which should not
be allowed to remain, for they pro-
duce no fruit and only rob the parent
stem.
The cutting should be placed in
the ground where the future tree is
to stand, for the fig objects to trans
planting and unless very carefully
done it is liable to lie dormant for
many months or perhaps few years.
A cutting placed in permanent posi-
tion will, as rule, outstrip trans
planted fig tree, and will begin to
bear in it's second or third year.
In Mediterranean countries there
is not much preparation of the soil
for the fig The following is a des-
cription of the method Of planting in
Florida where the fig is now being
raised with great success.
wherever the future tree is to
Standard if there is clay near the
surface so much the better-a hole
three feet in diameter and two feet
deep should be excavated, the top
soil thrown to one side, the subsoil
to another then compost of muck,
forest leaves and stable manure, or
some commercial fertilizer, should be
thoroughly incorporated with the top
soil and the hole filled in and tightly
packed with this mixture. If the
compost is moist, as it should be,
the fig cutting may be thrust down,
sloping, in the centre of the spot
thus prepared, the earth packed firm
ly around it Gin this last is the secret
of successful rooting), a mulch of
leaves or grass placed around it, a
tall stick or two driven alongside as
guard and the work is done. Should
there be long dry spell after plant
ing, then, but not otherwise, the cut
tings should be watered
A California authority writing of
the fig says: eff a proper site for
the orchard is selected, no great diff
ticulty will be encountered in setting
out and caring for the trees. In
planting, however, great care should
be exercised in shading the roots
from the sun and wind. Figs are
more apt to get hurt from exposure
to sun and wind than almost any
other fruit tree, and if the roots once
have become perfectly dried. it is
generally difficult to get the trees
started.
"rhe proper distance apart to set
the trees is dependent upon circum
stances. Heavy growing varieties
should be planted % to so feet apart
if the former, every other tree may
be cut out when the trees grow too
largo. In the meantime profitable
crop has been for years sov~rad from
each. If set % feet away we be
lieve ten years will elapse before any
necessary cutting has to be done.'
"rhe head of the fig tree shoulc
be started not over two feet from thu
ground. and at that height the tre'
should be allowed to branch out free
ly, thus to form a low, spreadin.
crown. On such low trees the frui
is easy to pick, the stem is kept cool
while the crown of the tree receive
the maximum of sun. High stem
med fruit trees are an determination
and not profitable if fruit is the OBJ
ject."
"The pruning of fig orchard is
very light job, simply because n
regular pruning, as practiced an
necessary for other fruit trees, i
here needed. Here and there
branch may be cut out or a dea
limb taken away, but no stopping Q
branches is required, though it woul
not prove absolutely detrimental t
the trees.
eve know of no other fruit tire
that needs SO little care, or, in fac
demands to be left alone as does til
fig. The weeds should be kept ava
and nothing more. One blowing
enough, if the trees are in the prope
soil. The fig has any quantity c
surface roots, AMI if these are dis
turbed the trees will suffer. Fig
which are never plowed produce a
fine fruit as those cultivated wit
care. While other trees cry for cor
slant care, the fig trees beg to be lei
alone; they are fully able to TAX
care of themselves.
The practice hitherto considere
!. necessary Of caPrification of the e
by hand or by planting of the capriti
Ga wild fig on which certain inse'
exlsts) in the orchard, has bee
proved by French horticulturists
be a deiusion, and unnecessar,
The intrusion of the insect is no
known to damage the fruit. III
capri or wild fig and the carica {
edible fig are distinct genera, al
therefore the capritig is incapable
fertilizing the edible fig.
Mr.. j. p. Blaze, an extensive re-
estate dealer in Des Moines, low
narrowly escaped one of the severe