104 TILLEES OF THE GROUND CHAP. 



was made to dry the figs grown in California, 

 where there are riot summer showers to spoil 

 the process, as in the Southern States. But the 

 public, accustomed to the well-flavoured Smyrna 

 figs, would not eat the tasteless home-grown 

 varieties. 



What was to be done ? It seemed clear 

 that the answer was get some Smyrna fig plants 

 and try them. This was done, first apparently 

 about 1880. It was done by a Californian who 

 had a newspaper connection, and therefore, in the 

 American fashion, he took care that everybody 

 should know that henceforth Smyrna figs were to 

 be grown in America. Thanks to his efforts every- 

 body did know, but unfortunately when the cuttings 

 that he brought over came into bearing, it was 

 found that they refused to ripen their fruit ; the 

 fruit dropped off when each was no bigger than a 

 marble. It was clear that something was wrong ; 

 but still the first step had been taken the Smyrna 

 fig plant had been brought over. 



Some eight years later another Californian 

 imported fresh Smyrna fig trees. It was thought 

 that perhaps the first importations had not been 

 good kinds, that the fig-growers in Turkey had 

 sent rubbish because they were afraid of losing their 

 market. This time, therefore, a trained gardener, 

 Mr. George C. Eoeding of Fresno, California, 



