TO CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 32, 7 February 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENCE.

Figs t' - Amateur ").—The few figs which have already ripened with you are what is termed the first crop. It is seldom that tho a heavy first crop here. The small figsnow forming arc the second crop. To assist theso in -welling to a large size you should mpofl the extreme end of tho shoot when it has formed from four to six figs. Tins Will stop the formation of more fruit on the shoot thus causing all the sap to go towards the developing and ripening of the fruit left on the shoo Asa rule the second crop ot fruit is all left on the tree and as the shoots giow they go 'on forming, which the tree is "unable to either swell or ripen before the winter sets.in. II such OVOI plus fruit was nioped oil 1 1 lie second cropw ould be much more profitable than it has been. Draining and Tubnching New Ground. ('•HeKinner ").-There is no timo of the year better adapted for the draining and trenching of new soil than during tne dry »eathei m the early part of the autumn. /I he sides of the drains, when opened well, will crack into figures, whioh will never entirely till up again. The soil, when trenched in dry weather will e-etwell cerated as it is turned over, audio. soma time, till it sets well moistened with r;i ; n. tbe air will have a free passuKO tbioug it. But this will only assist in gettmg.it well sweetened s,nd pulverised for planting or so wins crops in tbe late autumn.