28 



Bulletin 77 



The profichi, or second crop, ripens before the second crop of 

 edible figs. It appears in May, or earher, and matures in June or 

 July. This crop matures large numbers of gall and staminate 

 floM^ers, no pistillate flowers occurring. It is from this crop that 

 pollen is carried to the Smyrna and second-crop San Pedro. An. 

 examination of a syconus shows the gall flowers arranged in the 

 lower portion of the receptacle, while the staminate are grouped 

 around the e3-e at the apical end. 



Fig. 9. — -Grotip of Black Smyrna figs that have reached edible maturity. Note the large and 

 open "e5'e," which makes it possible for insects, fungi, bacteria, and water to enter the fruit 

 before and during the ripening period, causing the fruit to sour. From photograph, horticul- 

 tural files, Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station. 



The mammoni, or third crop, appears before the last of the 

 profichi has disappeared. This crop contains a few each of staminate 

 and pistillate, but a large number of gall flowers. This crop may 

 occasionally produce a few seeds. Pollination takes place by the 

 fig wasp carrying the pollen from the profichi to the mammoni 

 syconia at the time the wasp leaves the crop of profichi, which has 

 matured and is failing, to enter the mammoni crop. The primary 

 use of this crop is to furnish a home for the fig wasp until the 

 mamme form permits the establishment of the fig wasp in 

 winter quarters. Mammoni figs are produced on the wood of 

 the present season. 



