FRUIT CULTURE IN THE ALPS MARITIME. 933 



The proceeds are somewhat difficult to calculate. A good harvest 

 will produce a minimum of 10 francs per tree ; many of them will pro- 

 duce 50 francs each. This is for fruit alone. Leaves and flowers may 

 bring this up to 15 or 1G francs per tree. 



The trees begin to produce at ten years of age ; their best product is 

 during their growth, until their maturity, say to forty or fifty years. 



The cost may be approximated as follows : 



The grafted stock as sold by the nurserymen, original cost, each, 1.25 

 francs. 



Annual cost: 



Francs. 



Irrigation, each 50 



Cultivation and manure. 50 



Pruning and plowing 50 



Total 1.50 



FIGS. 



Indicate the kinds of trees producing the figs of commerce. 



Among the 67 species of figs which can be counted at Kice, they cul- 

 tivate the following: ISAbicou and La Cottignane blanche. These are to 

 be eaten fresh about the last of June. Succeeding them in point of time 

 are the Bernissou noir, Bernissou blanc, LaBellone, and Le Col de Dame, 

 to be eaten dried. To be eaten dried Ly Bellone (can be eaten either 

 dried or fresh), La Sarrasine noire, La Rollandine blanche. The latter 

 is the fig of Calabre. 



MODE OF CULTIVATION. 



Production and process of cultivation. 



The fig tree grows from a slip or cutting. They are planted at about 

 6 meters distance; the warmer and more sheltered the better. Though 

 they will grow in colder climates, yet their tendency is to stunted growth 

 and a return to a savage state. 



The rain suffices for them without irrigation. The earth should be 

 dug and manured here each year and the tree trimmed. The cost here 

 is about 40 francs per hundred trees. 



The production in the best years at good prices is about equivalent 

 to 30 or 40 francs per tree. 



PROCESS OF DRYING AND CURING THE FIG. 



The harvest of some kinds may commence in June or July and it will 

 last until October and November. 



The ripe fruit is placed on a trellis or basket work (1J to 2 by 2 to 3 

 meters) in a thin layer and exposed to the sun for ten or twelve days. 

 They are then removed to a dry place under cover, and by keeping 

 ;them stirred they will not damage for a long time, when at one's leisure 



