THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 37 



selected. Figs handled in this manner are called "pulled" figs. The majority are 

 packed in this way, the trade demanding it, but the better class of packers prefer the 

 'locoum," or bag shaped packing, as it is difficult to practice any deception as to size 

 when this method is followed. 



The packing of "locoum" figs requires much more care and also far more time 

 than the other style of packing. Only the largest and finest figs are used. The eye 

 of the fig is first turned to the underside and then the fig is taken between the thumb 

 and forefinger of each hand, and stretched lengthwise as far as possible. It is now 

 taken between the thumb and the forefinger of the right hand. The thumb and fore- 

 finger of the left hand are held at each end, and the third finger is pressed under- 

 neath; a little careful manipulation and the fig is pressed into the form of a cube, 

 presenting an even surface on top while underneath there is a deep indention where 

 the finger was pressed in. When the box is opened, it presents a very neat appear- 

 ance, the figs looking like small cubes. 



BOXES. 



The lumber for the boxes is all shipped in from Russia, and during the fig season 

 the mills, which are located close to the quay, work day and night turning out box 

 material for the various packing houses. Boxes are made in all shapes, some rec- 

 tangular, others square, varying of course with the style of fig to be packed. In size 

 they run from one to one hundred and fifty pounds. Very few of the latter are 

 packed, however, and those that are, are called elephants, and are shipped to the 

 larger American cities for exhibition purposes in show windows. The popular sizes 

 are 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 pound boxes. 



The grade of the figs is indicated by the number of crowns or crescents on the 

 boxes, the larger the number of same, the better is the quality of the fig. No definite 

 standard is fixed among the packers, so it is a difficult matter to determine a grade 

 similarly marked as to crowns and packed by two diferent firms. In recent years 

 a number of packers who have a large export trade to the United States, have been 

 packing figs in one pound bricks. These are shipped in twenty to twenty-five pound 

 boxes, and on arrival are wrapped by the merchants in wax paper, and sent out under 

 their own brand. This manner of packing has been adopted in many instances to off- 

 set the method followed of packing figs in California in one pound bricks. The fin- 

 est figs for export go to England, and the United States. Australia is a heavy im- 

 porter of figs, but mostly of the smaller grades . 



I visited a large number of packing houses, and in only one did I find them en- 

 gaged in packing figs in baskets. This packer was putting up a special pack for 

 export to New York, and was packing figs in long rounded and circular baskets, 

 made of wicker work. The figs were carefully flattened out on the top, none are 

 split, and when the packing is finished, the baskets are taken to girls, who cover 

 them with pieces of silk with the name and brand of the packer printer thereon. 



None of the figs seen in the United States packed in straw baskets, nor the small 

 wooden boxes sold on the trains by the persistent train boy, are packed in Smyrna. 

 The figs used for this purpose are shipped over here in bulk, and after being treated 

 with glucose, are re-packed. 



WAGES. 



The wages of the men vary from 50 to 75 cents per day, the average being about 

 50 cents, and only the most expert receive more than that. The women and girls 

 receive from 15 to 25 cents per day. I made a number of inquiries to learn as to 

 what constituted a days work in packing, but no two packers agreed as to the num- 

 ber of pounds a man should pack, but striking an average from the various estimates 

 given, it is safe to say that a days work was from 50 to 75 pounds to the man. No 

 check is kept on the men to determine how much they pack, this being intrusted 

 entirely to the foreman. 



