CONTINENT OF AMERICA. 

 MEXICO. 



LA PAZ. 

 REPORT BY CONSUL VIOSOA. 



The Spanish or Moorish black fig is the best for preservation and for 

 palate taste, and are very juicy once dry. The best varieties for eating 

 when ripe are the Bordeaux and Smyrna white fig, but the early black 

 Moorish (breva) is superior. Dry figs are an important export industry 

 in this country, and their growth is found in every watering place or 

 valley in this country. Trees are generally planted in limish and sandy 

 soil, and whenever the soil is too rich ashes of any kind mixed in the 

 soil is its best fertilizer. Never use manure or guano ; it is the worst 

 enemy of the fig-tree : the fruit becomes tasteless and besides attracts 

 the insect pest called concMta. (turtle shell). 



As to watering fig-trees : While young or the first and second year 

 after planting are watered every third day ; during the rainy season 

 don't require any irrigation. 



In pruning time, which is in October, the tree is simply cleaned out 

 of dry branches or young ground-root shoots. 



Picking and drying takes place in May and June, before the first rain 

 falls. Early figs in April and part of May. 



In this country the fruit is simply spread on the top of the house's 

 roof or on mats, with full sun exposure all day, and at midnight it is 

 taken in the houses. 



JAMES VIOSCA, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



La Paz, December 26, 1889. 



I 



ECUADOR. 



REPORT BY CONSUL BEAOH, OF GUAYAQUIL. 

 [Republisbed from Consular Reports No. 41^.] 



The only kind of fig grown in Ecuador is the purple. 



Though the fruit does well it is grown only in a small way. The 

 trees should be subjected to treatment similar to that of the orange 

 and lemon, in which respect the requirement is lived up to in Ecuador, 



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