CHAPTER X. 
DISEASES AND INSECT ENEMIES OF THE FIG. 
DROPPING OF THE FRUIT. 
Two distinct causes may effect the dropping of the figs before they 
are ripe. The most common of these causes is unfavorable climatic 
conditions, either in general or in particular, for a certain variety. 
This climatic defect may consist in any condition that will temporarily 
check the flow of sap to the figs. Cold nights, cold winds, and light 
frosts are equally as effective in causing the dropping of the fruit as 
are excessive dryness and great heat. Want of moisture frequently 
causes the fruit to drop or to develop poorly and become tasteless, 
coarse, and unhealthy. In this case moderate irrigation may be the 
remedy. Many varieties will always drop if raised in an unsuitable 
climate. In such cases there is no other remedy than to experiment 
with other varieties which may be suited to the climate. As numerous 
varieties of figs are originated under the most different conditions of 
temperature and moisture, there are enough varieties to suit almost 
every locality which can be at all favorable for fig culture. 
In old Roman times the dropping of the figs was a cause for great 
annoyance, and the practical Cato gave remedies for its prevention, 
advising thorough working of the ground. As he did not mention 
caprification, it is probable that the fig varieties he cultivated dropped 
their figs from climatic causes only. 
Another cause for the dropping of the fruit is a peculiar construe- 
tion of the flowers of the figs. The Smyrna figs, which require polli- 
nation in order to produce ripe fruit, will always drop their fruit if 
not pollinated. Other figs will, for the same cause, drop their second 
erop, while their ‘‘ brebas,” which contain differently constructed flow- 
ers, will mature. It is hardly necessary to add that the latter class may 
also drop from climatic causes, even when properly pollinated. To 
ascertain which of these causes effects the dropping an examination of 
the flowers is necessary. If the flowers are receptive and have been 
properly pollinated, climatic defects must cause their dropping. If 
no pollination has taken place, this fact would cause the dropping 
even under the most favorable circumstances. Common. edible figs 
suffer much less in this respect, as they are influenced principally by 
climatic conditions, while Smyrna figs are affected by both causes. 
Strong-growing varieties drop their fruit as readily as weak-growing 
kinds. There is no variety which holds its own better than the weak- 
growing Brunswick. 
176 
