FIG CULTURE IN VARIOUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 29 
more figs appear on the edible fig trees, the process is repeated, as 
the issuing of the wasps will cease ina few days. Toasmall tree only 
a few strings are required, while for a larger tree about 30 strings are 
needed to insure pollination. In case the caprifig crop fails, boat loads 
of caprifigs are imported from the Grecian islands at a great expense. 
In great scarcity the caprifigs sell at from 25 to 4 cents apiece, which 
shows the 
value placed 
on them bythe 
cultivator. 
HARVEST AND DRYING. 
Before the figs begin 
to ripen the ground un- 
der the trees is raked 
clean of leaves, clods, 
and weeds, in order that 
the figs may drop on 
soft soil without injury 
from bursting. 
Drying floors or beds 
are used for the final dry- 
ing of the figs. These 
beds are low—about 6 or 
8 inches high—simply 
made of loose soil, like 
a common garden bed. 
They are long and nar- 
row—6 or8 feet wideand. 
50 or 100 feet long—sep- 
arated by walks about 
4 feet wide. Along the 
outside margin of these 
beds are driven pegs 
which, when in the soil, 
protrude but slightly 
above the bed. Between 
Fia. 3.—Caprifigs used for caprification, strung on Esparto these pegs willow. or 
grass,as used in Sicily. The figs have become dried and hig dt hi 
the wasps haveescaped. (Photograph by N. B. Pierce.) other thin branches 
or arundo canes are 
braided, in order to protect the bed and prevent the soil from fall- 
ing out on the walks. The tops of the beds are first stamped hard and 
wetted, then covered with mats made of rushes or esparto grass or of 
the split canes of the Italian cane (Arwndo donax). On these mats 
the figs are dried. Many of the poorer growers cover the beds with 
the split arundo canes. 
