The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-11
~ cultiva ting leguminous crons 1he
Figs.

Inc increasing interest in fruit pIant
ing is showing itself in planting figs
trult at home throughout all the Gulf
belt. and yet with only here and there
tree or clump of trees in evidence of
what nature is ready to do for us If we
VIII only plant and care for. saws a
writer in the Times Dispatch. The
fact that the fig can be grown onlv in
small section of the United States.
ana that as a canned fruit il is the
choicest in quality, and highest in price
OF all canned fruits, is stimulating
painting for canning. 1t is in evidence.
TOO, that by use of the Poney refriger
ator, green fruit can be prohtablv
placed in any Northern market. It is
supposed the fig can be easily grown
from cuttings, which is true; but the
tendency of this tree to grow late in
the fall or during warm spells in win
Ter TO start growth makes it liable to
De injured by frost This is a difficulty
IN attempting to plant an orchard
varieties and location should therefore
be carefully considered. The winter of
lSS6 Killed most kinds of fig trees in the
more Northern range of fig growing
The Celestial variety came through
practically unhurt at Hammond: the
brown Turkey was injured, while other
SC4 is dlAiCSo IdNOEeQ DY age and To-
cation, were destroyed. The better the
wood of the tree is matured in the fall
the better ii Withstands injury from
frost; to this end push growth the tlrst
OF the season, and withhold all helm
at growth the latter part If there an
pears tendency to start growth dur
ing frost season, with a sharp spade
cut down several places among the
roots, at the same time slightly lifting
the tree; this will, for the time, arrest
growth. And probably 1t is quite ad-
Vlsable for the first two winters TO
bank earth up about the stems, and
wrap the top with sacking. AS to
drainage, the fig is no except,ea to
most fruit trees-good drainage is ne
ceSSary. In the use of fertilizers Ia;!-
letn of Department of Agriculture,
ID. e, advises: Excessive use of nj
trogenous manures should be avoided.
as the tendency of such fertilizers s 10
produce % soft growth too easily in
Jured by The winter. The piny woe ds
soil of the South is deficient in phos-
phoric acid, and this should be a strong
ingredient of all fertilizers used in piny
woods regions" Bulletin No. 20 ad-
Vlses against excessive use of nitro
genous fertilizers as producing a soft,
succulent root growth favorable to the
attacks of the 'Nematode'-a small
worm destructive TO fruit trees Also
thorough drainage and use of tobacco
dust mix I'd with unleached ashes Or
lime. etc" That is, potash and phos-
phoric fertilizers should largely pre-
dominate in the culture of :ig trees.
Fertilizers should be applied about the
collar of the trees in December or Jam
uary. No mulching at any time of the
year; proper cultivation is the proper
mulching. Very little trimming for
figs.
Celestial-Stands at the head for
hardness, fine quality and certain
crop producer. For canning or eating
from the hand it is probably the best
fig grown. Size, small. pcarshaped
Color, dark violet amber, thin skin,
meat deep rose color, fine sweet
flavor.
Brown Turkey-Averaging larger
than Celestial, and quite similar to
Celestial in tree and fruit. Quality
good and good bearer.
Brunswick-A large fig, pear-shaped,
with one cheek larger than the other;
skin pale amber; an early bearer and
early to rpen; quality fairly good
Lemon-Medium to large; yellow;
sweet: profuse and early bearer; a de-
sirable variety.