FIGS IN SYRIA. 743 



hole the slip, which should be about 27 inches long, is placed obliquely, 

 so as to leave about 2 inches of it above the ground. The planting of 

 suckers must take place between the 1st of December and the end of 

 January, and the planting of slips should begin with February and end 

 with March. Watering is needed, as stated in answer 6, for the lands 

 that had not been previously tilled and sown. As to the rich lands 

 which had been plowed, they should be irrigated once a month or once 

 every forty-five days. 



There are some large and some small fig orchards, but generally their 

 size is limited. 



Fig- trees live from five to thirty years, some even longer, and produce 

 fruit until they die off. 



The insects are worms produced by excess of water and manure and 

 want of proper pruning. The way to treat them is to put only a little 

 manure or none at all, to prune the trees well, and to make a passage 

 for the water, so as not to allow it to gather around the trees. Birds 

 also attack fig-trees, such as the sparrow and the becafico. A scare- 

 crow is most always successful in frightening away these birds. 



No insect other than those mentioned above are known to exist. 



Cutting. Either by -taking suckers which grow at the foot of the tree 

 or cuttings 'from the tree itself. 



No statistics or reports are published by the Government or other- 

 wise. 



ERHARD BISSINGER, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Beirut, February 12, 1890. 



SECOND REPORT. 



Varieties. The best variety for drying is the u Abyad," white inside 

 green outside, and for eating when ripe, the " Bokraty," red inside, 

 green outside. The "Asfoory" and "Bokraty" are also cultivated. 

 The Smyrna district is the principal one, Syria coming next, in which 

 fig- trees are grown. 



Situation. No matter where fig-trees are planted, moderate altitude 

 is best. Fig-trees are benefited by being exposed to the sun. 



Soil. The white clayey soil is preferable. It should be manured once 

 every three years. 



Climate. Minimum, 40 Fahr.; maximum, 90 Fahr.; average, 650 

 Fahr. The more abundant the rains the better the trees and fruits 

 prosper. 



Irrigation. Fig trees need no irrigation. 



Cultivation. After the soil gets dry it should be plowed three times 

 during spring-time. 

 156A 23 



