Fig Culture: Edible Figs: Their Culture and Curing. Fig Culture in the Gulf States. — John Shaqi
Fig Culture: Edible Figs: Their Culture and Curing. Fig Culture in the Gulf States.Eisen, Gustavus A.
Science
Fig Culture: Edible Figs: Their Culture and Curing. Fig Culture in the Gulf States.
Eisen, Gustavus A.
Fig
The proper distance to be given fig trees in the orchard depends upon
the size and habit of the variety to be planted. The smaller kinds
require 25 feet; the larger ones should be 50 feet apart in every
direction. Sometimes other fruit trees are planted between the figs and
allowed to remain until the latter become so large that they require the
entire space. The fig tree requires an abundance of air and sunshine to
mature its fruit, and it is therefore absolutely necessary that the
trees be so arranged that they shall not shade one another. After the
distance is decided, the laying out and planting require the same
general skill, labor, and methods used in planting other permanent
orchards. A few points in planting are peculiar to the fig, however, and
require special consideration.
DOUBLE TREES.
Trees may be set singly, as standards, in the way commonly practiced
with other fruit trees, or they may be set “double”—that is, two trees
planted together in one hole and allowed to remain. The latter method
has not heretofore been advocated in this country but is worthy of
thorough trial. The method consists in planting two long cuttings, about
12 inches apart, in the same hole, allowing them to protrude from the
ground a few inches. Both are allowed to grow and the two are treated as
a single tree with two stems or standards. The object sought is to
produce two distinct stems or trunks, in order that the splitting down
of branches may be prevented. In this way trees with low, sloping
branches, having their main trunks leaning outward, will be formed and
it will be impossible for the trunks, the main branches, or the smaller
ones to split down. Branches split only when they point upward or stand
straight out—never when they slope downward from the trunk.
STANDARD TREES.
These may be planted in the usual way, but great care must be taken in
shading the roots while the trees are being planted. After they are set,
the trunks should be shaded by wrapping them with paper bags or other
material, as a sun-burnt tree will never regain its health or bear
profitably. Standard trees should only be set for ornament or shade, and
even for these purposes the double trees are preferable. The fig tree
naturally branches near the ground, and the only way to successfully
imitate this habit in cultivation is to plant by the double-tree method.
PRUNING.
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