THE FRUIT SECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 14

THE FRUIT SECTION.

PRUNING OF THE FIG.

When the pruning of the more important fruit trees e.g., peach, nectarine, plum and apple, is finished, the pruning of the fig should be attended to. this tree is often totally neglected or handled inefficiently with the result that eventually the tree ceases to hear. It is an easy matter to extend the fruitful condition of the fig, for almost indefinite time, and one will be amply repaid for the litile labour necessary each year to do

this. The wood of tho fig, although it will break if bent sharply, will stand the weight of fruit and foliage which may be put' on it, even though this may be so great as to bend the 'branches considerably. The danger with this tree is that the* branches are liable to be split at the forks by the wind. Therefore, it is necessary to have a sturdy tree with strong, compact limbs. To attain a compact tree close pruning is necessary for several seasons. When the voting tree produces side shoots at a desirable height, the central leader is suppressed. The most convenient height for the trunk is from one and a. half feet to two and ft half feet. The side shoots are shortened well back each year to allow them to increase in diameter rather than in length. The main and secondary branches should be trained in an oblique direction with a tendency toward tho vertical. This tendency is removed when the increasing weight above bends the arms outwards so that tho tree is opened up a good deal in the centre. Pruning the Leaders. If the leaders are not trained in a direction verging to the vertical, the weight will bend the arms permanently, so that the tree becomes overhanging. An overhanging tree gives the wind a better chance to split the forks. Side shoots arising from the main arms may be retained if there be sufficient space for them. They should certainly be removed if they overlap one another. The anr.ua! growth of the fig produces three kinds of shoots, viz., leaders, fruit shoots and leaf twigs. The leaders have numerous dormant buds. just above the scars left by the fallen loaves. If the shoot be pruned immediately above any of these buds it will develop into a similar shoot. Also, on the leaders are found partially developed figs which were formed late in tiie previous season, but did not develop fully before the leaves fell and the sap returned to the These complete their development the following season, forming what is known as the first crop. There are some varieties of figs -that do not bring their first crop to maturity, the figs merely withering and falling to the ground when about half developed. On the other hand some varieties produce two good crops in the season. The first crop figs are found near the tips of the leaders, and therefore, if the leaders be pruned extensively* the first crop is greatly reduced. Such pruning, however, produes more shoots on which tne second crop is formed, and ripened during the summer's growth; If the leader is not. pruned there is only terminal wood bud to extend the leader -and provide tlio young shoot that carries the fruits, whereas, if it is pruned several buds may awaken and develop into fruit bearing shoots. '" r : ' * J ' Renovating Tig Trees. Leaf twigs are produced similarly to the manner in which fruit shoots are produced i.e., on the leaders. In fact, they, i would have been fruit shoots but failed to form fruit in tho axils of tho leaves because of overcrowding. Such shoots should have been thinned out during the early stages of their growth. Renovation operation? are performed on the fig with the greatest ease. In fact, the fig goes close t°; being the easiest treo! to renovate.' The tree is shortened back in winter to the main arms or to a bare, stump. In the following spring many young shoots make a vigorous growth, These should be thinned out during growth to what one judges to be the best number of" limbs for tho new tree! to have.