136 [ THE FIG TREE 



With the exception of the black and the white 

 Bourgeassottes, for which caprification is altogether 

 unnecessary, all other sorts are benefited by the operation 

 and for many sorts it is really indispensable as without 

 it a large proportion of the fruits will fail to set 

 and to arrive to maturity. The white, green, yellow 

 or ruddy colour figs, in general, require caprification, 

 as without it at least three fourths of the crop is lost. 

 On the other hand all dark violet or black figs can 

 do without caprification, but most of them are benefited 

 by it, and if caprificated will acquire the habit, so 

 that if caprification is discontinued the majority of the 

 crop is lost for several years in succession until the 

 trees become accustomed to the new conditions. More- 

 over, as the Blastophaga can fly over considerable 

 distances especially if favoured by the direction of the 

 wind, it often happens that a fig tree undergoes caprifica- 

 tion as a natural process, without the assistance of 

 man. This is particularly noticeable where there are 

 caprifigs in the neighbourhood, whether self-sown or 

 planted. It is the general custom to plant a few 

 caprifig trees in every new plantation of fig trees, so 

 that caprifigs may be had close at hand when required, 

 instead of purchasing them often at a considerable 

 cost. It is considered sufficient to have one caprifig tree 

 for every ten or twelve edible fig trees. 



The question arises, why does it happen that without 

 any caprification a fig tree will set a few fruits ? This 

 is easily explained not only by the possibility that there 

 may be an unknown spontaneous caprification as above 

 mentioned, but it is also a fact that some figs, especially 

 those which are the first to bud out, are naturally 

 of a stronger constitution and are better provided with 

 the male element, and that the irritation provoked by the 

 presence of the galls may be imitated or substituted by 

 the action of other insects or other agency. Accordingly, 

 it is well-known that a slight prick with a pin at 



