FIGS IN CORSICA. 753 



raspberry and strawberry, to which the fig, when boiled, assimilates 

 itself iii appearance. 



But the chief trade is done in dried figs and the prices of these vary 

 according to quality, quantity, and time of year. The grower dries his 

 own figs and usually sells them in bulk to the dealer, who then sorts 

 them and sells them again separately as per their respective qualities. 



The " Marseillaise " fig fetches from 75 centimes to 1.50 francs per 

 kilogram (from 8 to 16 cents per pound) and frequently even more in 

 retail. Other varieties sell cheaper ; ordinary dark and blue figs gen- 

 erally fetch from 30 to 40 centimes per kilogram (from 3 to 4 cents per 

 pound). Very common small figs, dried, are sold in some districts in 

 large quantities, packed in sacks, for distilling purposes, but this 

 applies more generally to Italy and Spain. This kind of fig is also some- 

 times used, baked or roasted and ground into coarse powder, to adulter- 

 ate coffee with. 



Insect pests. The fig-tree, well cared for, is very rarely attacked by 

 either disease or injurious insects; in some regions these are unknown. 

 In some cases a kind of a louse attaches itself to the branches and 

 spreads over the whole tree, if not detected in time and rubbed off care- 

 fully by means of a coarse piece of cloth. If, however, it has not been 

 detected in time and the parasite has already covered and killed certain 

 branches, these branches must simply be sawn off. 



Reproduction. Like the olive, the fig- tree grows to a good old age. 

 Reproduction takes place, naturally, by seedlings, but as this process is 

 slow and uncertain, it is generally done by cuttings, which are selected 

 from good healthy trees and planted in deep soil. They must be grafted 

 in about the second year and bear fruit in their third year already after 

 transplantation to their definite ground. If the grafting takes well, 

 fruit is even produced before the third year. 



CHAS. B. TRAIL, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Marseilles, April 30, 1890. 



CORSICA.* 



REPORT BY CONSULAR AGENT DAMIANI, OF BASTIA. 



Varieties. (Common fig-tree, Ficus carica.) The varieties cultivated 

 in this locality are, for drying, the White (Bourgassotte Blanche] ; Na- 

 politaine, very good quality, very good to dry, yields small number of 

 flowers; for eating when ripe the Yerdale; the Marseillaise; Athens 

 fig, the kind best adapted ; Dunmine, very good for drying ; Francis- 

 caua, for drying and for eating. 



* Translated at the Marseilles consulate. 



