THT SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 



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requirements to caprify a Smyrna Fig orchard; as has been demonstrated in using 

 Roeding's Capri No. 1 and No. 2 in the orchard of the Fancher Creek Nurseries. 

 Capri No. 1 matures its fruits first, and this is followed in about a week by No. 2. 

 As all the Smyrna figs are not in the receptive stage at the same time, but keep 

 on developing figs for ten or twelve days after the first figs appear, the necessity of 

 having more than one variety of Capri fig can be better understood. Simultaneously 

 with the ripening of Capri No. 1, the first Smyrna figs are in the receptive stage. 

 To know when to commence picking the Capri figs is not difficult, close observation is 

 all that is required. When the Capri figs, from their appearance, indicate they have 

 reached full size, they should be carefully watched. If on breaking one open, a 



FIG. 1 Blastophaga grossorum, a, adult female; 6, head of same from below; c, head of same 

 from side; d, male impregnating female; e, female issuing from gall; f, adult male, (after West- 

 wood.) All greatly enlarged. Courtesy of 17. S. Department of Agriculture. 



number of the male insects are to be seen crawling around in the fig, it is safe 

 to assume that the female wasp has commenced to issue. The color of the fig is 

 no indication of its maturity, for in many instances figs, while outwardly green, are 

 ripe, and the insects have commenced to leave, and are looking for new figs in 

 which to deposit their eggs. Another way of determining the proper stage of 

 ripeness is to press the fig between the fingers; if it gives to the touch it is mature 

 and ready to be picked. After a little experience, the proper stage is apparent by 

 the general appearance of the figs. 



Outside of the work of caprifying, there is no extra expense incurred in growing 

 the Smyrna Figs, over the ordinary varieties. The first distribution of Capri figs, 

 containing the Blastophaga, is made in small wire mesh baskets, which have been 

 previously hung in the Smyrna Fig trees. From five to six figs are placed in each 

 basket. The Capri figs are knocked off the trees with light bamboo poles, gathered 

 in buckets, and are then taken by a crew of men, and the figs are distributed 

 through the orchard, commencing at one point and giving each tree its quota of figs. 



All the Profichi figs do not contain insects, but if the supply of insects from the 

 Mamme crop is sufficiently large, and the weather has been favorable, it is difficult 

 to find a Profichi which does not contain galls. Two classifications of figs have 

 been named by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of the Division of Entomology, viz., polleniferous 

 and insectif erous ; the former being without insects, some of which drop off before 

 reaching maturity, while others of the same class, although they mature their 

 staminate flowers, are of no value for the reason of there being no insects in them 

 to transfer the pollen. The latter, (insectif erous figs), are full of galls, mature their 

 fruit somewhat later than the polleniferous, and are easily distinguished by their 



