Unquestionably figs should be thoroughly cultivated during the first
season. This is necessary to give them a good start, and as the young
trees make their largest growth after midsummer it is important to
continue the cultivation late in the season. Unless the soil is quite
rich some fertilizer should be used, as the future of the tree depends
largely on its vigor during the first season. An excessive use of stable
manure or other nitrogenous fertilizer should be avoided, as the
tendency of these is to induce a soft, succulent growth too easily
injured by the winter. The “piny-woods” soils are deficient in
phosphoric acid, and this should be a prominent ingredient of all
fertilizers used in regions where these predominate.
It is not advisable to attempt to cultivate any vegetable crop among fig
trees, on account of the danger of increasing root knot, and because
such crops are likely to interfere with cultivation at the time when it
may be most needed.
The best subsequent treatment for a fig orchard is, to a certain extent,
an open question. It is probable that in most locations the best results
will be obtained by mulching heavily near the tree with any available
material that will hold moisture and keep down the weeds. Pine straw,
marsh grass, or planer shavings answer the purpose. The dust from old
charcoal pits is sometimes used, and on the coast a mulch of oyster
shells is often seen. The slowly decomposing shells probably act to some
extent as a fertilizer, since the fig is known to thrive best in strong
lime soils. The middle of the rows can be kept clean by a shallow
plowing and harrowing without disturbing the mulch and without injury to
the roots protected by it. Winter protection of some kind should
certainly be provided during the first two or three years, at least to
the extent of mounding the dirt or mulch high about the base of the tree
in the fall. Protecting the tops with old gunny sacks or pine branches
will often prove of great advantage.
Pruning is seldom practiced, except so far as may be necessary to
properly shape the young tree, and this is better done in summer by
pinching. In case of a freeze, all injured wood should be promptly cut
away. It is said that the size of the fruit can be greatly increased by
judicious pruning, but, as before stated, it is seldom done.
Figs come into bearing very early. A thrifty growing cutting will often
set some fruit the first season, but this seldom matures. When the tree
does not winterkill, a little fruit may be expected the second season,
and by the third the crop should be of some importance.