CHAPTER XIV. 
HOW TO DESCRIBE FIGS. 
NAMES. 
In noting the names of figs in the following catalogue the writer has 
adopted the plan of first using the name under which he has found 
the fig best and most correctly described, or the name given in 
the locality where the fig is principally cultivated. The first name 
is thus that under which the fig is best known. All the subsequent 
names printed in other type are synonyms or names for the same vari- 
ety used elsewhere. The words within parentheses either indicate 
the locality where grown or the author of the description. If there 
be doubt as to which, a reference to the published list will clear the 
doubt. Names have not been translated except in a few instances 
where the cultivation of the fig in English-speaking countries war- 
rants the use of an English name. Much harm and confusion have 
been caused by citations of only translated names, and if this custom, 
so often employed by theoretical writers, should be adopted, the final 
object of identification of all fig varieties suited to and valuable for 
cultivation would be lost. In some instances where the pronuncia- 
tion of the foreign name is especially difficult to English readers, the 
translated name has been given preference, with the foreign name 
following in different type as synonym. 
French or other names which begin with the article De la, ete., are 
arranged under their principal name. Thus the variety called De 
VArchipel is found under Archipel, ete. As much as possible, such 
epithets as white, black, red, round, and long have been discarded, 
as they would too widely separate nearly related varieties in the cata- 
logue. For instance, White and Long Verdal are placed under the 
heading of Verdal, Long, etc., thus enabling the reader to compare 
the description of the respective varieties more readily. 
VALUE OF VARIETIES. 
The list of names of figs and their descriptions are given for two dis- 
tinet reasons. The first reason is that we may learn of the figs 
grown in foreign countries, where fig culture has been successfully 
carried on for two thousand years or more, while our own fig culture 
dates back only forty years. Many growers constantly ery out that 
fig culture is not a success in California and that figs do not do as 
well here as in the old countries. In answer to this, the writer begs 
to point to the long list of fig varieties known, which at least proves 
that a large number of varieties is required in order to insure this suc- 
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