255 



InnoculaiioH. 



Cal. Sta. Cir. 87. 

 Fanners' Bui. 374. 

 Haw. Sta. Bui. 23. 

 Idaho Sta. Bui. 66. 

 Ind. Sta. Bui. 27. 

 Mich. Sta. Bui. 271. 



Mo. Sta. Cir. 40. 



Nev. Sta. Bui. 120. 



S. Dak. Sta. Bui. 120. 



Tenn. Sta. Bui. 92. 



Wash. Sta. Bui. 2 Sp. Ser. 



A LITTLE-KNOWN FIG-TREE. 



Familiar in Egypt under the ancient name of "Sycomore," the 

 interesting species of Ficus known as F. sycomonis has for ages 

 been renowned for its hard-wood and for its pleasant and nutri- 

 tious fruit. This fruit, which the Arabs call "fig of Pharaoh," does 

 not possess so fine a flavor as the figs of the species Carica, but 

 it is nevertheless very agreeable to the taste, sweet, leaving an 

 after-taste resembling that of coconut. The pulp is firm and juicy. 



In Egypt, the "Sycomore"' is not cultivated in orchards, but it 

 is sometimes found growing in avenues. It forms a useful shade 

 tree near to houses and particularly for wells to provide shade for 

 the animals that work the native chain pump. 



The geographical range of this species comprises Egypt, Abys- 

 sinia and Arabia. The tree is susceptible to cold weather. Alon. 

 Charles Henry, ex-gardener-in-chief to the Khedive, writing in 

 L' Agronomic Coloniale (October 31, 1913), believes that the tree 

 would thrive throughout the tropics, particularly in sheltered lo- 

 calities. Specimens already exist in the French colonies in West 

 Africa. 



The propagation of F. sycomonis presents no difficulties and is 

 done by means of cuttings 40 to 50 cm. long. In three years the 

 branches are well formed and the young trees are ready to be 

 planted out. 



The flower of this species is different to the other representa- 

 tives of the genus, for a description of which the reader may refer 

 to Mon. Henry's article. 



During each year after the tree has come in bearing, the bark 

 of the larger branches is chipped off to quicken fructification. 

 This treatment is analogous to "ringing." 



The ripening of the fruit is stimulated by caprification — that is, 

 by boring a small hole into the fruit. Latex is exuded and the 

 wound heals. Ripening follows three or four days after caprifi- 

 cation. 



The average harvest yield is 660 lbs. of fruit per tree. 



It should be pointed out that all "Sycomores" are not of equal 

 value. Varieties exist but have not so far been determined ; 

 though by communicating with the writer mentioned above it 

 would be no doubt possible for those interested in this useful tree 

 to obtain further detailed information. — Asfricultural News. 



