 * et oS 7 
bo 
FIG CULTURE IN VARIOUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 5 
improvement was noticed in the packing and curing of the Smyrna 
figs. To-day the Pharo figs are almost unknown, while the Smyrna figs 
have not only secured control of the former markets of the Pharo figs, 
but greatly extended them. (PI. I.) 
FIG DISTRICTS. 
As already stated, while Smyrna is the export and packing place 
_ for the figs bearing that name, they are not grown in the immediate 
vicinity of the port, but are cultivated farther inland and to the 
south, in the valley of the Meander River. The river basin, which 
runs due east and west, lies about 80 miles south of Smyrna, from 
the vicinity of which it is separated by the Salatin Mountains—a 
rather high chain also running east and west. The principal fig 
district thus faces the south, being sheltered by the mountains from 
the north. The Meander Valley, situated principally on the north 
side of the river, is about 50 miles long by not over 5 miles wide, and 
generally less. But the fig district has of late extended even farther 
north, and the first orchards which are reached in going from Smyrna 
are situated on the north side of the Salatin Mountains, in the foothills 
of Ayasalouk, close to the ancient Ephesus. After the summit of 
the foothills has been reached at Azizieh, the road rapidly descends, 
and at Balachica the western point of the main fig district is reached. 
From here it extends about 50 miles due west into the interior. The 
most famous part, where the finest figs are grown, is the vicinity of 
EKuovassi, at an elevation of 210 feet above the sea. Between Aidin 
(pronounced J-deen) and Nashi the land rises from 217 to 260 feet, 
and from there to the upper end of the valley there is a rise in all of 
600 feet. The valley of the Meander, now traversed by a railroad, 
consists of a rather level plain, crossed by a number of gulches. The 
soil is very deep and rich, consisting of a vegetable loam, rich in mica 
and humus, possessing to a very high degree the quality of retaining 
moisture, so necessary to the well-being of the fig trees. No irriga- 
tion is resorted to or as a rule required. 
According to the localities where grown, the Smyrna figs are divided 
into several different grades. Thus, proceeding from east to west on 
the Aidin railroad are found first the ‘‘ Nazly figs.” These are grown 
between Ortoxi and Nazilli or Nasly. Those grown between Aidin 
and Erbeghly are known as ‘‘ Erbelli” figs, and those coming from 
points farther west from Dermendjik to Forbaly are known as ‘‘ For- 
baly.” Another smaller fig district, about 5 or 6 miles in diameter, is 
situated at Demieh, about 50 miles southeast of Smyrna, on the north 
side of the Salatin Mountains, in the valley of the river Kaistros. 
CLIMATE AND SOIL. 
The climate of the Aidin Valley diifers somewhat from that of 
Smyrna, being warmer and drier. Thus, while Smyrna and its 
