Then (Jesus) told this parable:  A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  So he said to the gardener, 'See here!  For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and still I find none.  Cut it down!  Why should it be wasting the soil?'  He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it.  If it bears fruit next season, well and good; if not, you can cut it down.'  Luke 3:6-9 (NRSV)