PART I. 



THE SMYRNA FIG ABROAD. 



CHAPTER I. 

 OUTWARD BOUND. 



Having become thoroughly convinced, after successfully producing the Smyrna 

 Fig on a commercial scale in the year 1900, that we were on the threshold ot 

 a new industry, which promised to rival raisin and prune growing in importance, 

 and run the orange a close race for first place, I decided to go to the very heart of 

 the great fig center of the world, in Smyrna, and by personal investigation clear up 

 many of the doubtful points in connection with the industry. Aftei- years devoted to 

 experimental work, and the intense interest, which it naturally developed in connec- 

 tion with my investigations, this step at the time seemed to be fully warranted an 

 opinion since verified by the facts presented in this book. 



Leaving San Francisco early in May, 1901, with my wife and family, I went directly 

 to New York, and from there to Washington. 



Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the Division of Entomology, having been previously ap- 

 prised of my contemplated trip, kindly volunteered to secure letters of introduction 

 to our representatives abroad, at such points as I might touch, but the matter having 

 been brought to the attention of Hon. James A. Wilson, Secretary of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, he kindly gave me an appointment as Commissioner of 

 the Department. It was largely due to the assistance and standing this document 

 gave me, that my labors were brought to a successful and most satisfactory termina- 

 tion. The incidents of my trip across the Atlantic are not of particular interest to 

 the reader, hence only a brief reference, by way of introduction, is here made to that 

 phase of my experiences. 



Boarding one of the huge express steamers of the Hamburg-American Line, "The 

 Pennsylvania" (a boat capable of carrying 15,000 tons of freight), at Hoboken, on the 

 18th of May, we slowly steamed out into the Hudson, accompanied by music and the 

 good wishes of our friends and the crowd, a common sight when any of these levia- 

 thans take their departure from New York. 



Arriving at Cuxhaven after a pleasant voyage of twelve days, hurried good-byes 

 were said to many friends and acquaintances, made en route. Our luggage having 

 been passed by the courteous German custom officers, a compartment in the express 

 was secured, and we were soon speeding along the banks of the Elba to Hamburg. 

 Berlin was the next point on the itinerary, where arrangements were made for the 

 residence of my family during my absence in the Orient. After a few days' rest, prep- 

 arations were made for the trip to Smyrna. 



It will probably strike many of my readers as strange that I should be so anxious to 

 reach Smyrna so early in the season, as the figs would not ripen until several months 

 later. This anxiety will be more fully explained later. 



On the second of June, I started on my journey across the continent to Constanti- 

 nople, on the Oriental Express. This train, supposed to be one of the most elegant 

 and palatial in Europe, consisted of a combination baggage and dining car and two 

 sleepers, drawn by an engine, whose make-up reminded one of the engines of former 

 days. An American, who is accustomed to so many comforts and conveniences when 



