FIGS IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN. 765 



PORTUGAL. 

 THE AZORES. 



A considerable quantity of figs is produced, but they are consumed 

 in a fresh state, with the exception of a small proportion converted into 

 an ordinary brandy for home consumption. Scarcely any are dried, the 

 climate being unfavorable to the operation. 



S. W. DABNEY, 



Consul. 

 FATAL, 1884. 



SPAIN. 

 MALAGA. 



REPORT BY CONSUL MARSTON. 



Varieties. The names of the best varieties for drying and eating when 

 green are the Hijo Verdijo, thin skin, white, and very sweet when green 

 and ripe ; the Hijos Blanco, a white fig with harder skin, and the Hijo 

 Panetijo, brown in color, inclined to purple. All the above are good to 

 eat either fresh or as they say here " green," or can be dried as figs. 

 The quality is in accordance with the order in which they are given. 



The trees that produce the varieties of above-named figs are grown 

 throughout all the province of Pralaja, Granada, Almeria, Sevilla, and 

 all other provinces of Southern Spain. 



Situation. Distance from sea, 2 kilometers j elevation above sea-level, 

 100 feet. The more sun the better. Hilly land is the best. Sandy sub- 

 soil is best. 



Climatic influences. Temperature, 45, 90, and 78 Fahrenheit. 



No record of rain -fall to be had here. 



The trees require no more water than falls naturally in rain. 



Irrigation. No irrigation for figs. 



Cultivation. Dig around the roots in the latter part of November or 

 December, to the depth of 18 inches, and use stable manure. 



Fertilizers. None used here. 



Pruning. In the month of December, by cutting the ends of all pro- 

 jecting branches. 



Picking. In month of August, when full ripe and when the sun is 

 shining brightest. 



Curing and packing. When the figs are^quite ripe they are picked only 

 on fine days, during sunshine, and arecured in the same way that raisins 

 are dried. The sun furnishes all the heat required. It is enough to con- 

 struct simple divisions made of either brick or stone, exposed to its 

 rays, in an inclined position, say 10 yards long and 2 yards wide. The 



