THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 57 



Calimyrna, Lop Injir. A copyrighted name given to the world famous fig of 

 commerce to distinguish il from the other varieties of Smyrna Figs. Very often 

 packed in Smyrna under the name Erbeyli, meaning superior fig, and indicative of 

 the district of "Herbeyli," in the Maeander Valley, Asia Minor, where the finest 

 grade of these figs are supposed to come from. Known in the Turkish language as 

 "Lop," and in the Greek as "Lopia," meaning sweet fig. Fruit large to very large, 

 turbinate, almost globular, except that it is very much flattened at the apex; neck 

 very short, in many instances almost entirely absent; stalk short and breaking from 

 the tree readily when the fig has lost its form and hangs limp, shriveled and seamed on 

 the tree; ribs very distinct, and of a slightly greenish shade; skin lemon-yellow, smooth 

 and very thin, turring nearly white when the fig is dried, and feeling almost like silk 

 when in this condition and rubbed between the fingers; orifice large, of pale ochre color 

 and widely open when the fig is mature and before shriveling; pulp reddish amber, 

 sometimes pale amber turning to dark amber just before falling; seeds large, yellow 

 fertile, overspread with a clear white syrup, giving the fruit a richness and meatiness 

 surpassed by no other fig. Tree a strong grower, of spreading habit and inclined 

 to be straggling, a difficulty readily overcome by shaping the trees when young; 

 leaves medium to large, of a dark green shade, slightly downy underneath, lobes very 

 deep, and five lobed. The dried figs contain 63.92 per cent, sugar, which is 1% 

 per cent, more sugar than found in the imported Smyrna Fig. Dries readily and 

 with less trouble and expense than any other fig, dropping to the ground of its own 

 accord and being practically dry when it falls. The only variety of fig planted in 

 Asia Minor for export, and the only one having any commercial value. 



Black or Purple Smyrna. Small, globular, stems short; no neck; skin very thin, 

 purplish, with prominent light greyish ribs, sprinkled with round, brownish dots; 

 pulp dark amber; a most delicious fig to be eaten out of the hand. Dries well, but 

 the skin is thick; fruit is too small for commercial purposes. Tree a dense, compact 

 grower, giving as dense a shade as the Texas Umbrella; leaves small, five lobed, 

 slightly serrated. Name local, found as a mixture in the orchard of Calimyrna Figs. 



Black or Purple Bulletin Smyrna. Fruit large to very large; obtuse pyriform; 

 neck short, stalk long; skin light purple, streaked and ribbed with grey and sprinkled 

 with small brown dots; pulp reddish pink, very rich and luscious; seeds large, 

 fertile; orifice open when mature and very small. A superb fruit in the fresh state. 

 Of little value when dried, the skin being thick and leathery. Several trees of this 

 variety (the name being local) were received among the Bulletin Smyrna Figs from 

 the Bulletin Company in 1883. 



Cheker Injir. Signifying "Sugar Fig," and grown in the Island Scios. Tree a very 

 strong grower, branches heavy and closely jointed; of upright growth; leaves very 

 large, deeply lobed and slightly serrated; fruit roundish, oblate, short neck; pulp 

 reddish-pink, seeds small, fertile; skin greenish-yellow, very thin, ribs distinct, 

 light green. Of no particular value for drying purposes. 



Kassaba. Medium to large, rounded; obtuse pyriform, flattened at the apex; 

 short neck and stalk; ribs slight; orifice decidedly large and open; skin pale green; 

 pulp reddish pink; seeds small, fertile. Deliciously sweet both fresh and dried, the 

 analysis showing higher sugar content than the Calimyrna, and when dried 

 the skin is even whiter than that variety. The objection to it is that it ripens late. 

 Tree is a beautiful, erect, upright grower, of good habit. More trees of this 

 variety are to be seen scattered among the "Lop" figs of the Maeander Valley than 

 any other. In drying no effort is made to separate these figs from the "Lop" figs. 

 The men in packing the figs, however, invariably discard them, remarking that they 

 are no good. They are readily distinguished by their deep red colored pulp. This 

 variety is found principally in the vineyard district of Kassaba, as a border tree, or 

 growing as isolated specimens, when they attain an immense size. No attempt is 

 made to dry them, the inhabitants claiming they are of no value for this purpose. 



Maple Leaved. Medium, turbinate, rounded at apex; stem short; slight neck; 

 pulp red; no ribs; orifice widely opened, dark straw-colored; skin pale, yellowish- 

 green; seed fertile, small. Tree of spreading habit, branches short jointed; leaves 

 large, deeply lobed and heavily serrated. A rather inferior fig and possessing no 

 value for drying purposes. Not seen by the writer during his inspection of the 

 fig orchards in Asia Minor, and it probably is only found as an occasional mixture in 

 the gardens of the "Lop" figs. The name given is a local one derived from the 

 peculiar form of the leaves. 



