112 THE FIG: ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CURING. 
sity of having caprifig plantations in various localities, especially in 
a country like California, where the caprifig trees are not wild and 
where frequent importations of caprifigs with inquilines are difficult 
if not impossible. When'the caprifig crop fails in Smyrna fresh capri- 
figs are imported by the vessel load from the Grecian islands, and in 
all countries where caprification is considered necessary in order to 
procure a crop of figs a regular and profitable trade is carried on in 
eaprifigs, which often bring much more than the edible figs.’ Capri- 
figs should on no account be pruned, but allowed to grow wild. The 
wasps require shade, and the best caprifigs are always found in the 
densest shade. All suckers and small twigs on the main trunks of 
the caprifig tree should be allowed to remain. 
Quantities of caprifigs required.—The quantity of caprifigs needed 
to caprificate a fig tree varies with the size of the tree. The number 
depends also on the quality of the caprifig and the number of its 
wasps. In California from 20 to 50 profichi seem to suffice. If too 
Fic. 18.—Caprifigs strung on reed used for caprification. The figs are dried and the wasps have 
escaped. 
few are hung on the tree an insufficient quantity of wasps is had and 
the edible figs are not all pollinated. If too many are hung too many 
wasps will enter the edible figs, injure their flowers, and, according to 
some observers, cause the figs to prematurely drop and decay. 
For smaller trees a less quantity of caprifigs is required than for 
larger trees, but even the largest in Smyrna are not given more than 
30 strings to the tree. The caprifigs are hung on the limbs of the fig 
trees before sunrise and when the wind is not blowing. The process 
of hanging up the profichi must be repeated several times, as only 
those edible figs are pollinated which are of proper size and receptiv- 
ity. For the younger figs new profichi must be supplied later on, if 
their maturity is required, and the quantity of caprifigs necessary at 
any time must be regulated according to the number of figs to be 
pollinated. 
1Solms-Laubach, p. 60, relates how a ‘‘ Rottolo” of profichi in Ischia frequently 
brings half a lira. According to Leclerc, p. 16, c. p. 330, and Hanoteau et Letour- 
neaux, pp. 433, etc., the caprifigs sell in Fort Napoleon for 2 sous per dozen. 
