FIG CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 67 
THE BULLETIN IMPORTATION.” 
The importation of the genuine Smyrna figs to California was first 
due to G. P. Rixford, at that time connected with the San Francisco 
Evening Bulletin, which was then the acknowledged authority on 
horticultural matters in California. The following account is taken 
from the edition of that paper of October 17, 1888 and is. it is 
believed, from the pen of Mr. Rixford himself: 
IMPORTATION OF FIG CUTTINGS. ! 
Believing the soil and climate of California perfectly adapted to the growth of 
fruit equal to that imported from Asia Minor, also believing that failure to pro- 
duce such fruit in the State was due to the absence of the right variety of tree, in 
1880 the business management of this journal determined to make an effort to 
introduce a tree which produces the true fig of commerce, with the view of plac- 
ing it in the hands of the subscribers of this journal throughout the State. In 
furtherance of this object the assistance of the Hon. E. J. Smithers, then United 
States consul at Smyrna, was solicited in procuring and shipping to New York, 
thence to be forwarded by rail across the continent, a lot of 500 cuttings of the 
best variety obtainable in that country. On the ist of May. 1880, the following 
letter was received from Consul Smithers: 
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 
Smyrna, March 31, 1880 
BULLETIN Company, San Francisco. 
GENTLEMEN: Yoursof January 24, requesting my services in procuring and for- 
warding some fig cuttings for distribution among the subscribers of your paper, 
was received on the 3d instant, together with a draft on London. 
Immediately after the receipt of your letter I sent a trustworthy man to the fig 
district, situated about 75 miles from Smyrna. Owing to the severe stormy 
weather which prevailed at the time, the cuttings did not reach Smyrna until the 
10th instant. I then learned that there would be no steamer for Liverpool before 
the end of the month, and deemed it better not to complete the packing until the last 
moment. The case was successfully shipped on the 29th, and the steamer left to- 
day. As directed, the bill of lading was forwarded to H. K. Thurber & Co., New 
York, and Richard Stewart, 11 Manchester Building, Liverpool, has been requested 
to look after its transshipment. 
The case is 5 feet in length, 3 feet wide, and 2} feethigh. It contains 448 plants, 
packed in rich clay loam, such as the fig trees flourish the bestin here. The pack- 
ing took place under my supervision, and was after the plan of your letter. The 
top of the case is fastened down with screws, so that it can be easily opened at New 
York, and the plants, if they should need it, watered. 
It is not possible to obtain rooted trees in this country. the fig-orchard men pre- 
ferring to plant the cuttings in the field where the tree is to remain. My man 
was informed that owing to the warm weather in February it was too late to 
remove rooted trees, otherwise I could have sent you asinallnumber. * * 
I inclose herewith a statement of expenses incurred. which, you will perceive, do 
not exceed your remittance. There being no drays in Smyrna, the heavy case 
Aine #o be moved by porters and then by lig hter to the ship lying some distance in 
the bay. 
Hoping that your undertaking will be more successful than the others that have 
preceded it, 1 remain, gentlemen, very sincerely. yours, 
E. J. SMITHERS, 
'In these cuttings Mr. W. B. West, of Stockton, had a one-fourth interest, and 
upon the arrival of the cuttings he took his share to his Stockton nursery and prop- 
agated his cuttings there. Governor Leland Stanford was also interested in this 
importation, the success of which was mainly due to his aid in facilitating rapid 
transit across the continent, and to the fact that he paid most of the expenses, 
His share of the cuttings was planted on his Vina Ranch, in Sacramento Valley. 
