38 THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
The variety called Thar’animt is the most valued among the white figs, and the 
variety known as Ajenjar is considered the finest black kind. 
Caprifigs.—There are four named varieties of caprifigs. These are: Thadouk- 
karth-en-tifouzal, Thadoukkarth-en-thar’animt, Thadoukkarth-en-thaberkant 
(black caprifig), Thadoukkarth-en-t’it-en-tesekkourth (Pheasant’s eye caprifig). 
The best variety is the Thadoukkart-en-tifouzal. The name of the caprifig in 
general is ‘‘doukkar.’’ These varieties of caprifigs are used indiscriminately. As 
regards caprification some kinds are better than others, the difference being in 
the time of maturity, in the number of crops, and in the number of wasps. 
There is another variety of wild fig known as Thadoukkart guir’zer (Creek 
caprifig), but the fruits of this kind are never used for capritication. This tree is 
used for grafting. The tree is inhabited by a Blastophaga wasp not suitable for 
caprification. 
Propagation of the fig tree.—There are four different ways in which the fig tree 
is propagated. These are cuttings planted directly in the orchard. cuttings planted 
in the nursery and later on transplanted, suckers taken from the base of the tree 
or from its roots, and. finally, layers. 
Cuttings planted in the orchard are known as ‘‘thisekkar.” They grow well 
and rapidly, but are supposed not to bear for several years. Cuttings planted first 
in the nursery are called ‘‘thimer’eras.” After two or three years these are trans- 
planted into the orchard. These young trees bring a price of from 30 to 50 
centimes. The suckers are known as ‘‘ouchelikhen.” The name for layers is 
* ourkilen.” 
When a fig tree is planted, a trench is dug; not a simple hole, as for other kinds 
of trees. Several slits are made in the trunk in order to facilitate the growth of 
roots. The time for planting is between October and March. The trees are gen- 
erally set in groups of five, though irregularly. 
Grafting is also used, but only when it is desired to change one variety into 
another, or in order to rejuvenate some old trunks. Grafting with scions is prac- 
ticed in February and March, while budding is practiced from March to June. 
Cultivution, etc.—In very cold winters the buds of the more delicate varieties 
are covered with a plaster composed of cowdung, in order to prevent injury from 
frost. The first work in winter consists in cleaning the trunks of the trees—cut- 
ting off the suckers and superfluous surface roots. Sinks are dug around each 
tree in order to hold the rainwater. When manure is had, it is placed in these 
sinks, Plowing is done with oxen when the proprietor is wealthy enough to pos- 
sess them; otherwise the trees are simply dug around. Ancient practice stipulates 
that the first plowing should be made from January 10 to 23. Thesecond plowing 
should be between February 13 and 19, while the third and last takes place either 
between April 10 and 20 or between May 1 and 21. In some places pearl barley 
and turnips are planted between the trees after the last plowing, but such crops 
are always considered detrimental to the fig trees. No pruning of the trees is 
practiced. 
Caprification.—The caprifig is known as the ‘ Doukkar,” which signifies 
‘‘male.” But as the Kabyles are ignorant of the sexual elements of the caprifig or 
of plants in general the presumption is that the origin of the name is very ancient, 
and we are naturally carried back toa time when the people knew more of the 
nature of plants than they now do inthose parts. The Blastophaga wasps are of a 
black color. Those, however, from the wild caprifig, known as ‘‘ thadoukkart 
guirzer,” are brown. These latter insects are not able to caprify the edible figs. 
The caprification is practiced in the same general way as elsewhere in the Medi- 
terranean couniries. Strings of four caprifigs are thrown over the branches of 
the edible figs. The number of strings (imalak’en) varies with the tree. If neces- 
sary, as many as 100 strings or 400 caprifigs are used on a single tree. On the 
plains more strings are used than in the mountains, the average number of 
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