Fig

the name of a large family including the India rubber and banyan trees. There are over a hundred kinds, but the fig of commerce is raised on a small tree chiefly in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea. The fruit is pearshaped, varying from a plum to an apple in size. The best figs are those of Smyrna. Turkey sells about $2,500,000 worth of dried figs a year. The Carolinas have developed quite a fig industry, but it has had a setback by severe winters. California has raised figs from the time of their introduction by the old Spanish missions. Some of these old trees have grown enormously. The Century Magazine for October, 1892, illustrates one of these banyan-like fig trees, the branches of which have taken root until the entire plant covers a circle 150 feet in diameter. In California about 5,000 acres are in figs. Recent experiments go to show that the Smyrna type does well, which, if established, means much to the state. A peculiar fact in the history of the fig is that a small female wasp, freshly dusted from the pollen of a "wild" fig, must force her way and enter the blossom end of the young fig and dust the seeds on its inner surface, or the fig tree will "cast its figs," that is, the young figs will wither and fall off. As figs cannot be grown without the fig wasp and the particular wasp never gets out again, but is absorbed by the ungrateful fig, it is apparent that every fig costs a wasp, and that the fig grower has a double problem on his hands. The "wild" fig is the Capri fig. It is raised as a host for the fig wasp. One Capri fig tree, with its swarm of attendant wasps, is quite sufficient for one hundred Smyrna trees. A Smyrna fig tree begins to bear in the sixth year, and is in full vigor up to the fifteenth year.

The first Smyrna figs planted in California grew well but produced no fruit. The crop fell to the ground quite green. A study of the fig business in Turkey was made. It was found that the growers caprify their figs by hanging twigs of the Capri fig, covered with insects, in the trees of the Smyrna variety. Accordingly trees of the Capri variety, the fruit of which, by the way, is worthless to eat, were imported; but it was found that they had not brought their insects with them. A second attempt was made with a successful result. The Smyrna figs are now doing well in their new home. During the flowering season the grower clips twigs of blossoms from his Capri fig tree and hangs them, insects and all, in his Smyrna tree tops. California produced sixty-five tons in 1903. It is hoped that from this beginning a large local industry in Smyrna figs may grow up.

The Smyrna crop of figs for 1908 amounted to about 100,000 camel loads, or 25,000,000 pounds. In discussing the crop for this year Consul-General Harris writes:

Figs are one of the most important products grown in Asia Minor. Their handling and packing give employment to many thousands of men and women during three or four months of each year.

Figs, as a rule, ripen about the first of August. They fall to the ground after full maturity, are permitted to dry in the sun for a period of six days, after which they are packed into sacks weighing 250 pounds each; one such sack constitutes a camel load.

In transporting figs to the Smyrna market the greatest care must be taken not to bruise the fruit. Sacks are never packed one upon the other. From the orchards in the interior these sacks are transported two at a time upon the backs of camels to the nearest railway station. There are freight cars built especially for the fruit, with shelves one above the other, so there is absolutely no danger of pressure or jolting. From the railway station at Smyrna they are again transported by camels to the bazaars.

The sorting of figs is carried out with the greatest care. They are packed in jars and boxes according to the thickness of the skin and the general size of the fruit. The inferior grades, which are but little better than refuse, are eliminated from the better qualities and used for distilling purposes.

One feature of fig growing which is especially interesting and peculiar is that concerning the male and female trees. Visiting the fig market in the town of Aidin during the month of June, Turkish peasant women from the country were seen engaged in selling only male figs in little baskets. Crawling over the figs were many insects, and upon one of the figs being broken open it was found alive with these insects, which began escaping in every direction. These male figs are purchased by fig growers in this market and hung in bunches on the branches of female fig trees near the growing fruit, which is still very green in the month of June, and about the size of a walnut. The insects from the male figs rapidly collect on the female fig, penetrate the thick skin, and fertilize the fruit. When left in their natural state the process of fecundation is much slower than when thus assisted by hanging a bunch of male figs upon the branches of a female tree. The fruit of the male fig tree is never eaten, and the moment the insects leave it withers away and rots.