626 [AsSEMBLT 



when the dew is off, they are exposed every morning to the sun, 

 during the hottest part of the day. To facilitate the progress of 

 drying, the figs are occasionally flattened with the hand ; and 

 in moist, dull weather, they are placed in rooms warmed by 

 stoves. When they are thoroughly dried, they are packed in 

 rush baskets, or in boxes, in layers, alternately with long straw 

 and laurel leaves, and in this state they are sold to merchants. 

 In some parts of the south of France, figs are prepared by dipping 

 them in hot lye, made from the ashes of the tig-tree, and then 

 dried ; the use of the lye being to harden their skins. 



The only variety of cuttings, lately imported from France, was 

 the large "white tig," (Figuier blanc,) which is sufficiently hardy 

 with slight protection to withstand the climate of the middle 

 States. 



The Prune (prunus domestica). — The scions of two varieties 

 of prunes, " Prunier d'Agen" and " Prunier Sainte Catherine," 

 have been imported from France and distributed principally in 

 khe States north of Pennsylvania, and certain districts bordering 

 on the range of the Alleghany mountains, in order to be engrafted 

 upon the common plums. These regions were made choice of in 

 consequence of their being freer from the ravages of the curculio, 

 which is so destructive to the plum tree in other parts as often 

 to cut off the entire crop. It has been estimated that the State of 

 Maine alone, where this insect is rarely seen, is capable of raising 

 dried prunes sufficient to supply the wants of the whole Union. 



The Prune d'Agen, which is considered the best for drying, is 

 of good size, of a violet color, with a deep yellow flesh of a deli- 

 cious flavor. This variety succeeds best when engrafted upon a 

 wild stock, or when it springs up directly from the root. 



The Prune Sainte Catherine^ in the climate near Paris, is also 

 esteemed as excellext for drying. It likewise furnishes to com- 

 merce the well-known " Pruneaux de Tours." The tree is of 

 medium size, about twenty-tive feet high, and grows well both as 

 a pyramid and a standard. The branches are long, slender, and 

 but little ramified, their shape being rather slender. Through- 



