THE SMYRNA FIG AT HOME AND ABROAD 79 



CHAPTER XVII. 

 PRODUCTION AND MARKETING. 



PRODUCING QUALITIES OF THE SMYRNA FIGS. 



The Calimyrna Fig produces two crops annually, the first one maturing in June, 

 called the "Brebas," which are produced in very small quantities, only a few 

 scattering specimens are found on some trees, while many trees develop no fruit 

 at all of this crop.. The figs are quite large, of lemon yellow color, acute pyriform, 

 with long necks. The seeds are large but quite hollow, and the fruit possesses but 

 little flavor and is entirely unlike the regular crop following. Commercially, it has 

 no value. The Smyrnas bear as regular and heavy crops as the varieties belonging to 

 the Adriatic class. There are rarely years when even partial failures occur, and where 

 the necessary precautions are observed to have a good supply of the Mamme, or 

 winter Capri figs, the possibility of failure is very remote. The only expense incurred 

 in growing Smyrna figs over and above the ordinary varieties is the matter of 

 caprification. This is not worthy of serious consideration when the value of a crop 

 of Smyrna figs is compared with the Adriatic varieties. All other expenses are 

 proportionately less; the figs dry quicker and require less processing in order to make 

 them marketable. 



Leaving out the fact that the Smyrna Fig is superior in every sense of the word 

 to the ordinary figs, that it commands more than double the price in the markets, 

 there is still another even more important point in its favor, viz., it rarely sours, 

 a fact which has been fully demonstrated where the Smyrna Figs were growing in 

 adjacent rows to the White Adriatic. This latter variety is inferior enough to begin 

 with, but when it is still further made unpalatable by the fruits souring on the trees, 

 making them unfit for consumption, this alone, were there no other consideration, 

 should be good cause to discard the Adriatics in favor of the Smyrnas. 



Success in every line of fruit culture can only be attained by having the best; it 

 costs no more to grow a good variety of fig than a poor one, the same care, the same 

 intelligent thought must be brought into play, but what a difference in the results; 

 one goes begging for a buyer; the other is placed on the same equality with the 

 imported fig, and will sell in competition with it. Is it worth while to waste time, 

 patience and money in growing a fig, which, to begin with, cannot be considered in the 

 light of a merchantable article? The whole success of Smyrna Fig culture rests on 

 the successful and permanent establishment of the Blastophaga, which is an accom- 

 plished fact. 



MARKETING CALIMYRNA FIGS. 



California figs, unlike her other fruits, have always been regarded with disfavor 

 at home in the eastern states. They sold only because they were cheap, and 

 in some seasons even this factor of cheapness did not add to their being in demand. 

 California horticulturists, particularly the pioneers, passed through trying ordeals in 

 marketing their fruits, whether green or dried. It was necessary to educate the 

 Eastern jobber that this State must be recognized as a fruit section, and that the 

 prejudice against home products must finally give way to reason. It required the 

 expenditure of thousands of dollars and a dogged persistence on the part of the 



