The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-29
ZIG CULTURE.
by n. w. HoLRrRrA

| lb1 ", w, 6Ol4bEhl.'
! paper on Fig Culture; Its PROFITS
was read before the horticultural section
| by Z w Halbert Of Arcadia. II follows.
The edible ags cultivated in the United
S'htes, both for eating fresh and for dry.
! Ing. all belong to one species, "hcus
caiica"
az this species there are now described
about 500 varieties ! will not go back into
the history Of the fig, but win commence
with nu NJ to date fg orchard in thc coast
belt Of Texas II Is quite essential IA
starting q fig orchard that the planter
shuuh have good healthful trees. To
grow such trees the most practical way
Of propufating is by cuttings They should
he taken from well mstured trees top wood
preferable
Many planters multiply hgs by layers
and suckers. This, however, Ia wrong.
The oil tree. or stool ls very often affected
wirh root knot and by this method OF
propagation you may expect a very large
per cent of your trees TO be diseased, and
as the root knot Is a disease caused by
n microscopic nematode or tree worm that
infcsts the soft hhrous roots, and when
mettnt In sufficient numbers, causes the
death of the roots and the consequent
starvation and death Of your trees.
The pest thriyes best In a moist, sandy
soil and Is troublesome throughout /
greeter part OF the coast belt; No effective
emG SG bd i kn9% S6 9lth tS the disease
dus; mixed with lime This is also good
fertilizer for the fig
In choosing land for a hg orchard great
| care should be taken, for 1t is very i'm
pcrisnt that the soil be free from this
disease; and do not grow vegetables be-
tNc,q ~ the e, trees that VIII act as nurse
that will produce a soft, succulent root
growth, this being favorable TO the growth
q the nematode. Before planting prepare
soil well and then transplant the trees
fifteen feet apart: the roots should he
eur back about half, the top should be cut
The fg will grow in almost any location,
bur Will attain It's highest development on
rich, moist, but vel drained soil.
lime and potash. Thoroughly cultivate dur
Ing the first season This is necessary 10
trees make their largest growth in Sep
tcmher and October. it Is important 10
continue 10 cultivate late in the season.
The best treatment for fig orchard Is
Pruning should not be done except so
the tree This. should be done in the
summer by pinchlng. Plnchine should com,
mcHcc carly In the season Pinch back
all long. struggling growth aud keep OF
When growing Ggs for the best results
do not try to grow other crops In the or
chardt for every dollar temporarily made
In this way means two dollars loss In the
eId You can not cultivate too much.
never heard OF a fig tree being killed by
over.cuiture. but have known of thousands
being ruined by too little cultivation.
| Varieties most favored by planters are
Magnolia. Celestial Yellow Celeste, Green
French. Hurtu Du Japon, Black California,
MeaIco and Lewis The last two named
ave old varieties with new names.
| ks an varieties Gf hgs are not suitable
choose the varieties best adapted TO the
uge ne intends putting them 70, For pre-
! taaf are even better. Mexico IL the most
rfomlsing. as & has clear yellow color,
| I, l. very sweet and medium size; tree
YsvI nroliae and hears heavy crop the
4 second wear. The Lewis Is ahat the same,
/ op'y In, king in the rich yellow color.
The hest varieties for skipping are the
larger sorts Magnolia IS az the head q
| M list brunswick. Black California ana
| R,,Vn Turkey are good for local markets.
The demand FOR fresh ngs Is growing year
'presery,ne hgs. Everyone likes hss pre-
I served The taste does not have 70 be
( cultivated, as Is often the ease with FRESH
"srhe factories for several years have been
I nrtfine Increased quantities Of the canned
product on the market 1P 20 t1 'es n nndh, ~
ga,' verv active. and he Gamers paid as
I btgh as 4 and cents per pound for the
! ftssh fes and could not get enough 70 nll
/ da,tand Tor AL Injuries has fallen on and
| Ssfinries have curtaied their packing, but
1 nave MT materially reduced tne price o. ne
/ pinro.snt tbe demand Is increasing very
"a, and preserving hgs VIII soon be
issdine industry IN the South. The pro
! t.n..s ,,sed nv Factories In preserving ngs
Stssv .,,r,ewhat from home methods. They
siso sifsr among themselves Each fac