Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1917 — GROW FIGS IN FLOWER POTS [ARTICLE]

GROW FIGS IN FLOWER POTS

Fruit Will Ripen If Given the Same Treatment That Is Accorded the Rubber Plant. The fig is one of the oldest frtflts known, and since it has become known that figs can be grown in pots and

fruited in the conservatory or in the open ground, where there is three months warm summer weather, there has been a great demand for the quick-bearing varieties by people anxious to grow fresh figs. These varieties begin to fruit by the time the young shoots are 6 Inches long and form a fig at every leaf. Unlike apples, peaches and other fruits of the kind, the fig is more like the raspberry or blackberry in the respect that the fruit does not ripen all at one time. Figs continue to develop and ripen fruit until checked by cold weather. For pot culture the fig requires about the same treatment as a rubber plant, and If supplied with plenty of water the fruit will ripen. Vigorous plants will have fruit in all stages of development, froth the smallest green fruit to the ripe figs ready for picking and eating. Celeste bears rather small fruit of high quality, but Is not very productive. Ischia has a green exterior, the inside of the fniit being blood red. Hirt” Japan is an abundant bearer and Magndlia bears large pear-shappd fruit One fig enthusiast writes that his figs stood zero weather last year, though when first set out freezing weather would kill them. As they become acclimated the plants stand colder weather. A gardener in Pennsylvania says her fig tree has withstood 20 winters with protection. The tree is bent over to the groufid tn winter and covered with straw and earth.