CAPRIFICATION OF THE FIG. 83 
ean not be said to exist as a separate crop, as the last figs are only 
-a continuation of the second crop. The fig tree often continues to 
bear until frost sets in, or until the tree becomes otherwise dormant. 
Some fig varieties, like the Natalino, ripen their last figs in midwinter,- 
if properly protected. 
If we compare the crops of the caprifig tree with those of the edible 
fig, we find that the first crop or profichi of the caprifigs correspond 
to the brebas of the edible figs, the mammoni of the caprifigs corre- 
spond to the second crop of the edible figs, and the mamme of the 
caprifigs to the winter figs of some of the edible kinds. The difference 
is, however, that while the mamme come to maturity the following 
spring, the third crop or autumn figs mature, if at all, the same year. 
The mamme correspond thus to the Italian cimaruoli or end figs, the 
location of the figs being characteristic both in the caprifig and in 
the edible fig. The mamme are so named on account of their large 
size and swollen form—resembling mamme or breasts. 
POLLINATION. 
Pollination is the process in which the pollen produced by the 
anthers is placed on the stigma of the flowers. This process of 
fecundation or pollination is necessary in order that the ovary may 
be fertilized and produce seed. The pollen grains, when ripe, appear 
to the unaided eye as a fine dust, but under the microscope each 
grain may be seen to be beautifully and characteristically sculp- 
tured. These pollen grains are brought onto the stigma either by 
wind, transmitted by insects, or fall by gravity. As soon as the 
pollen grains are on the surface of the stigma—provided the lat- 
ter is in proper receptive condition, neither too old nor too young— 
they begin at once to grow, sending out one or more pollen tubes, 
like long roots, which penetrate through the style and, following 
its canal, finally through the funnel-shaped opening in the ovule, 
reaching the inner nucellus. The fertilization has then taken place, 
and immediately afterwards changes take place in the ovule and 
nucellus, which in short time lead to the production of a fertile seed. 
As a rule we find that in the same flower the pollen grains and the 
stigma are not fully developed at one and the same time. It is there- 
fore evident that the pollen in a flower can not be useful for fertilizing 
the ovary in the same flower. This is nature’s remedy against self- 
fertilization, requiring that the pollen be brought from some other 
flower or from some other tree of the same kind. In the majority of 
flowers the pollen can be transported from one flower to another only 
by means of insects, and often the flowers are so peculiarly constructed 
that only a certain kind of insect can reach the pollen, or, rather, can 
reach the honey glands at the base of the anthers, as without the 
presence of these glands the insects would have no occasion to visit 
the flowers, which in such a case would remain sterile. 
