SOILS FOR THE FIG 



383 



much difference, it may be truly said that a very small part of 

 the State is really unsuited to its growth. If one shuns the im- 

 mediate coast of the upper part of the State, where the summer 

 temperature is too low for successful ripening, and keeps below 

 the altitude of the mountains where winter killing of the tree is 

 possible, he can grow figs almost anywhere. 



Selections of varieties adapted to particular situations has 

 much to do with the success of the fig, as with other fruits, and, 

 therefore, a broad statement of adaptability must be received 

 with such an understanding. The intrusion of the coast influ- 

 ences borne eastward by the winds of summer, as described in 

 Chapter I, gives a night temperature too low for ripening of some 

 varieties, which turn sour upon the trees. Present indications 

 are that the finest dried figs, having the thinnest skin and the 

 nearest approach generally to the fig of Smyrna, the commercial 

 standard for dried figs, will be produced in the drier portions of 

 the valleys and foot-hills. Even in Southern California fig-souring 

 is quite prevalent, and selection of locations must be circumspectly 

 made. More time is requisite for the final demonstration of these 

 matters, although years have already been devoted to the problem. 



SOILS FOR THE FIG 



As it must be left with the future to determine the mooted 

 point as to the influence of special situations upon the bearing 

 of the fig, and the more minute characteristics of the fruit, so 

 more experience is needed to demonstrate the comparative effects 

 of different soils. It might seem, from the fact of the age of our 

 trees in different parts of the State, that time enough had elapsed 

 to determine these points, but it must be remembered that all 

 our oldest trees are of the very hardy variety found at the mis- 

 sions, and conclusions drawn from them as to all varieties are 

 unsafe. 



The fig will thrive in any soil that one would think of select- 

 ing for any of our common orchard trees, and, in fact, the fig suc- 

 ceeds on a wider range of soils than any one of them. One is 

 safe in planting figs for family use, or for marketing, wherever 

 the summer temperature is high enough to ripen the fruit well, 

 and the winter temperature high enough to preserve the life of 

 the tree. This applies merely to the successful growth of the 

 fig; to secure ripening at a time when the fruit can be profitably 

 sold for table use, is another question. 



The selection of soils especially suitable to the production of 

 the best figs for drying involves more considerations than rule 

 in the growth of table fruit. For drying, the fig should attain 

 a good size, but should not contain excess of moisture. In some 

 parts of the State the first crop of figs in the season has been 



