Christian,
Pons, as far as I understand, is exemplifying how to prepare a cutting for propagation 'in ground', emphasis made on the necessity of cutting the 'gemas apicales'..(apical buds).
The big hole is exactly how it was (still is) done by our ancestors to plant a fig.
Remember well seeing grand dad doing it on many occasions at that time the hole was prepared entirely with hand tools with approx 1 x 1 meter square and at least 1M deep.. this to insure sufficient loose soil to promote rapid develop. of a sturdy root system.
Another thing he said was that despite the fact that fig branches would take roots at any time of the year, as far as he is concerned the correct timing for planting a fig is when the plant genetics move out of dormancy - first forth night of March -
Another topic was the age of the branch ... Never less than 2 year old wood ! otherwise the chances of failure are great!
On grafting he showed nicely how it is done with his preferred ' chip majorquin modificat' to create new figs from 'varietats foranas' foreign varieties and exemplifies mentioning Pastiliere, and other Bordeaux's done on 'Calderona' root stocks.. 5 or 6 foreign varieties on the same root stock
When I suggested such grafting to lucky fellows with Caprifigs on their back or front yards.. half the forum has practically fallen on my head !!?
I am not fluent on anything but when dealing with Mr Pons, we use our own languages and it works !!
Both languages are Latin rooted with similar influences from Greek and Arabic ..
Francisco