Practical Fig Culture; in Arizona 39 



the fact that the Capri fig must also be caprified, since some forms 

 of Capri figs do not produce continuous crops. There is also almost 

 a break between the profichi and mammoni, since nearly all the 

 insects escape from the former crop before the earliest fruits of 

 the latter crop are old enough to accommodate the fig wasp. This 

 is a wise provision, considered from a natural point of view, and is 

 also very important commercially. While the profichi crop is use- 

 ful in the caprification of edible figs, the mamme and profichi crop 

 are used in the caprification of Capri figs, and especially in per- 

 petuating the fig wasp. 



Methods of caprification. — To intelligently caprify an orchard 

 the operator must become familiar with the general appearance 

 of the Capri fig when the wasp has developed to the stage of emerg- 

 ence. By opening and examining a few, one soon is able to deter- 

 mine the date the fruit is mature for caprification, by the external 

 appearance, especially the color, of the fig. 



Mature figs are either hand picked or when out of reach are 

 knocked from the trees with light bamboo poles. Picking is done 

 in pails and begins at daylight while the figs are cool, since the wasps 

 begin flight as soon as the fruit warms up. Emergence continues 

 with interruptions for several hours each day for about ten days. 



Distribution of the crop is done usually by means of cone-shaped 

 baskets about 3 inches wide at the opening and 10 inches long. Six to 

 fifteen specimens of average size are required for trees 4 to 6 years old, 

 while 20 to 100 are needed to caprify trees 10 to 40 years old. 

 For small trees one basket is used, while in large ones two or three 

 hung in difi"erent locations in the top of the tree may be necessary. 

 Caprification is done 7 to 10 days apart and should continue until 

 the entire crop is pollinated. 



How caprification is accomplished. — -During June, Smyrna figs 

 mature to the size of marbles, the flowers presenting a waxy appear- 

 ance. At this stage of maturity pollination will take place. The 

 profichi crop of Capri figs should now also be mature with the fig 

 wasp ready to emerge. Attention has been directed to the fact 

 that the profichi crop contains both gall and staminate flowers. 

 With the gall flowers in the lower end of the cavity, and the stam- 

 inate above, forming a dense mass of flowers full of loose pollen 

 surrounding and covering the eye — the only means of exit — the 

 female wasp in forcing her way through the stamens becomes well 

 coated with the pollen, which, however, she unsuccessfully attempts 

 to remove on reaching the opening and before flight. On entering 

 the pistillate syconia the pollen is scattered thoroughly over the 



