THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 25 



selves as much at home in Smyrna as in the rich valleys of California. No meas- 

 ures have been taken to eradicate either of these obnoxious weeds, but their spread 

 is somewhat retarded, as irrigation is not practiced. 



JEALOUSY OF THE INDUSTRY. 



My peace of mind was somewhat disturbed during my stay in Aidin by the news 

 that an article from The Saturday Evening Post of Philadelphia had been -copied in 

 a Greek newspaper printed in Smyrna. This article referred to an extract from Dr. 

 L. O. Howard's report on the Smyrna Fig in California, printed in the Year Book of 

 the United States Department of Agriculture in 1900. My name, with that of others 

 interested in the introduction of the Smyrna Fig, was mentioned a number of times. 

 A copy of The Post had no doubt been sent to a correspondent in Smyrna. The sub- 

 ject was of such vital importance to the Smyrnoites that it was given a great deal 

 of prominence, and was printed in its entirety. My host and interpreter were under 

 the impression I knew nothing about the fig business, but after this article ap- 

 peared, I was compelled to admit that I and the Roeding named therein, were one 

 and the same person. Not a very pleasant experience after having practiced the 

 deception on them, to be sure, but as they took the matter in good part, I congrat- 

 ulated myself on having fallen into such good hands. 



Before my departure to Smyrna, I had the pleasure of giving my host an insight 

 into the life history of the fig wasp. After explaining to him how the insect pro- 

 pogated its species and the manner in which it passed from one crop of Capri Figs 

 to the following one, he exclaimed, "I have been the owner of fig orchards all my 

 life and my father before me, but your explanation of how the little insects per- 

 forms its functions is the first clear understanding I have ever had of the subject. 

 Strange you should come here to make an investigation of the matter when you 

 already know more than any of the residents and owners of fig orchards here." I 

 explained to Mr. Magnissalis, I had made the trip for the purpose of clearing up 

 certain practical points, which could only be understood by personal investigation 

 on my part. 



On my return to Smyrna it was deemed expedient by my interpreter as well as 

 myself, to change my name, from the fact that my being in Smyrna had been widely 

 circulated in the newspapers. So as not to be annoyed by reporters, who might want 

 to interview me, and then cause obstacles to be placed in my path, I passed under 

 the nom de plume of "James George," a wise plan, as I ascertained afterwards, the 

 public having been warned not to give me any information, as it might lead in the 

 end to their losing one of their most important industries. 



My next trip was to Kassaba, a large town of considerable importance and the 

 center of the cotton district, and celebrated for the excellence of its melons. Cer- 

 tainly not entitled to any credit for melons, for those sampled in my second trip in 

 August were of very inferior quality, no doubt due to the fact that the seed from 

 the same strain was being used year after year. The Kassaba Fig trees grown here 

 are fine, symmetrical trees, much handsomer than the Lop Fig grown in the Maean- 

 der Valley. No trees are planted in orchard form, only a few growing here and 

 and there in the vineyards are met with. The figs are not dried but are eaten fresh. 

 The Lop figs are not grown at all. An attempt has been made to grow them, but 

 the fruit was said to be so inferior to that grown in the Maeander Valley that no 

 further attempts were made to grow this variety. 



With the expectation of finding the "Lop Injir" elsewhere, or varieties equally 

 -as valuable from a commercial standpoint, other districts were visited, but no gar- 

 dens were to be seen. The only trees visited were planted as borders or in vineyards 

 or small gardens for home use. These all required caprification, but no attempt was 



