Be THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
intended to imitate the fig. The Turkish name for this paste is ‘‘ Lo- 
coum,” and the brand ‘‘ Locoum” on the box containing real figs indi- 
eates the manner of packing, in imitation of the Locoum pastes. The 
fig can not be worked in the shape of ‘‘ Locoum” unless it is unusu- 
ally thick and meaty, and therefore the best figs are always selected 
for that style of packing. The figs branded ‘‘ Erbelli” come from the 
country surrounding the smaller village of Erbeghli, which has the - 
reputation of growing the finest figs. The Erbelli figs are generally 
packed as ‘*Locoum,” and frequently both names appear on a box, 
indicating that the figs come from Erbeghli and are packed Locoum 
style. (Pl. III.) j 
Exporters put all kinds of fancy names on the figs which they send 
out, and vary them from time to time. Every year sees some 
novelties as to name, style of packing, package, ete. But two or three 
firms have adopted regular brands and goods which can be relied on 
to be uniform and regular one year with another. Messrs. Dutilth 
& Co., Smyrna packers, have kindly furnished the following infor- 
mation: 
The best brands are graded as follows: 
[mipetial see aan eo 2 Se: ee eee eee Imperial Crown. 
onmoncl ayers 22s. 6a oe 2 ae he a ee See ee ane es ---- Extra §4 blue (4 crowns). 
COCO: 2. gus a Ge ek ek Se een a ee Finest $2 red (3 crowns). - 
Primes: S8ee 2 See ee eS eee a ee eee Fine §@ black (2 crowns). 
These grades go both to England and America, no grade being packed exclu- 
sively for England or for America. The only brands which come always in the 
same manner of packages are those just referred to; all other package-marks vary 
as regards name, brands, sizes of packages. number of figs in each package, etc., 
greatly, of course, to the detriment of the trade, but more so to the packers 
themselves. 
The inside measures, in inches, of the fig package of EH. J. L. are as follows: 
Imperial crown, 124 by 164, carrying 5 rows of figs with 11 figs in a row. 
Extras differ in size of box, a 9-pound box, measuring 9 by 114, carrying 4 rows 
of 8 figs each. Of this grade there are 12, 18, and 5 pound boxes also. 
Finest are put up in 8,10, and 12 pound boxes. “The 12-pound box measures 10 
by 14 and contains 4 rows of figs each. 
Fine are put up in 10-pound boxes only, measuring 9 by 12, containing 5 rows 
of figs, with 11 figs in the row. 
In these brands one always finds the same size of figs, whether they are in a 12, 
10, or 8 pound box of the same grade. 
The general run, or what is called the American standard, measures as follows: 
Inches. 
12-pnoundbox,.5 XT fies 35222 a ee ee ee ee 9.5 by 13 
10-pound box,.5 X10 figs. 25 oe el ee ee ee 8.4 by 12.2 
Sspound box, A><9 fess! el F2 SE Oe ee ee eee eee ee 7.1 by 11.5 
6:pound box, 48 fips v.52 /2o52 cn Sled es eee ee Sn ear eee 
These figs seldom contain the same number of figs in the lower layers as in the 
upper layers. Thus for the ordinary grade of figs—Aimerican standard—it is the 
general custom to put a smaller fig in the lower rows. Thus a box will have 5 by 
11 figs on top, while below them 5 by 13, etc.; but the standard brands always 
come with the same number of figs all through. The lumber for these boxes all 
ve 
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