70 THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 



into four sections, each of which is the exact size of the carton into which the figs are 

 to be packed. The first layer of figs is placed face down, so the bottom of the package 

 when examined will present the same finished appearance as the top layer. After 

 three layers of figs have been placed in the form, it is taken to the press, a wooden 

 board with small blocks, which fit exactly in the forms is placed on it, and the figs 

 pressed down into the form, thus making room for the top layer. An ordinary letter 

 press is used for pressing the figs, it being more serviceable than a lever press, due 

 to the pressure being exerted gradually, which could not be done with the latter. 

 This branch of the work is in charge of a small boy, who, after pressing the figs, 

 takes them back to the packer to be finished. As soon as a form is filled, each brick 

 of figs is weighed; if the weight is found to be correct, it is again placed in the form, 

 which is then taken to the packing table, the false bottom underneath is taken out, 

 and the bricks piled up ready for wrapping. In each brick of figs, a leaf of the 

 Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is placed. This leaf does not affect the flavor of the figs 

 but imparts to the package a pleasant appetizing odor when opened. The brick is 

 next taken in hand by the wrapper who neatly wraps it in wax paper, but before so 

 doing, the package is once more weighed, and if the weight is not correct, it is 

 returned for repacking. 



After wrapping, the package is sent to the next girl at the same table, who 

 places the brick in a very attractive paper carton, neatly engraved and embossed. 

 These cartons are made in two sizes, half pound and one pound. The background is 

 all in green. The cover has the words "Calimyrna Figs" in gold, and white embossed 

 on it; one side of the box has a view of the residence of the Fancher Creek Nurseries 

 surrounded by a grove of Calimyrna Fig trees and the other is embossed with the 

 name of the grower and packer, in white and gold letters. Underneath the 

 scroll in which this view is enclosed are the words, "Where these figs are grown." 

 On the ends of the carton are the initials, G. C. R., embossed and worked in white. 



The package now comes into the hands of another girl, who pastes a gold seal on 

 the carton, to hold the top in place. The cartons are now finished, and all that 

 remains to be done is to place them in wooden boxes when they are ready for shipment. 

 These wooden boxes hold ten one-pound, and twenty one-half-pound cartons. 



The fig packers are in charge of a fore lady, who watches the work of packing 

 carefully, and sees that no inferior or defective figs are packed. She also keeps 

 track of the work done by each- packer by means of tally slips, so that the number of 

 pounds packed can be seen at a glance by examining the form book in which a daily 

 record of the work is kept. 



The descriptions of the harvesting, curing, and packing of the Smyrna Fig 

 elaborated in the foregoing paragraphs are based on the personal experiences of 

 the writer. For this reason the frequent reference to his own business affairs was 

 almost unavoidable a condition to which he is more or less sensitive, for the reason 

 that the text may impress the reader as a trifle egotistical in places, and this, 

 let it be distinctly understood, was in no way a motive in their preparation. Quite 

 to the contrary, the matter is thus given prominence with the hope that his facts and 

 experiences may prove of service to intending planters of the Calimyrna Fig, wherever 

 it can be established as a commercial proposition. 



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