20 THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 



MALE OR CAPRI FIGS. 



In my trips through the fig districts, a great many varieties of Capri figs were 

 found, none of which, however, were named. There seemed to be more or less varia- 

 tion in all the trees seen except in some instances where the grower had planted 

 trees and selected the cuttings from a variety, which seemed to be valuable. The 

 Capri figs are called "Ilek" in the Turkish language, which means male and as a 

 rule are found growing in the gardens in the villages and towns, close to the high 

 walls built to keep out intruders and thieves. No care is given them, and they as-v 

 sume any shape nature provides for them. It is no uncommon sight to see a steep 

 river or creek bjyQk^av^red_witha dense growth of these trees. Isolated trees are 

 found growing in the foothills amTas border trees in the vegetable gardens close to 

 the towns. Occasionally a small orchard is to be seen, in which case the trees were 

 planted a number of years ago, when there was a scarcity of the Male fig. In recent 

 years these trees have been grafted over to Smyrna Figs, but the work has been 

 so badly done, due to the failure of the workmen to cut out the old wood, that all 

 the trees are a mixed growth of Capri and Smyrna fig wood. 



The Black or Purple Capri Figs are never used for caprifying purposes, as they 

 are said to be wild and are not male figs. Examination of a number of these dis- 

 closed the fact that they contained just as many insects as the others, but never- 

 theless they are never used. None of the Capri Fig trees attain a very large size, 

 a condition brought about by the lack of care bestowed on them, and through the 

 fact of their being planted in places where they cannot develop properly. The Male 

 or Profichi crop is the most distinct and the figs vary in color from a dark brown, 

 purple, to green and yellow shades when maturing. 



The general impression has been that different trees are necessary to develop 

 the several crops. There is some foundation for this theory in the Mammoni and 

 the Mamme, but without exception, all of the trees produce the Profichi crop. Hun- 

 dreds of trees were examined and in not a single instance could a tree be found 

 which was not loaded with the latter. 



On my second visit to Smyrna in August a number of the Capri trees examined 

 in June, were again carefully looked over, and on some of them, Mammoni Figs, were 

 found, (but only in very limited numbers as this is always a light crop) just commenc- 

 ing to mature. A few of the Mamme were large enough to receive the insects, but most 

 of them were quite small and were just forming in the old wood in the axels of the 

 leaves. Quite a number of trees showed neither Mammoni or Mamme Figs, at that 

 time, and it is quite possible that all of the trees do not develop these crops. 



The ignorance of the people themselves, whether owners of fig orchards or not, 

 as to the evolution of the insect, prevented my securing any information as to the 

 development of the last two crops. My conclusions therefore in tne matter are 

 views based on what I saw. The size of the Mammoni Figs and the rather slow 

 development of the Mamme crop would indicate that none of the trees produced 

 more than three crops during the season. 



CAPRI FIGS AS MERCHANDISE. 



Selling bugs is something new in the line of horticulture, but it has been carried 

 on for hundreds of years in the Asia Minor fig districts, Capri Figs being an article 

 of merchandise just as much as the Smyrna Fig itself. The price of Capri Figs, like 

 everything else, is regulated by the law of supply and demand. That the Capri 

 Fig is considered an actual necessity is well illustrated by the prices prevailing in 

 1898. In that season the Boghadhes crop, corresponding to the Mamme crop, was 

 practically ruined by frost, and the growers not having a supply of the Male figs, 

 were compelled to secure their supply from the small island of Chios, about thirty 



