SMYRNA FIG CULTURE. 35 



caprifig varieties, either imported or originated from seed in this 

 country, it is deemed sufficient to describe only those which from 

 their desirable qualities are of permanent interest to Smyrna fig 

 growers. Dr. Eisen (11) describes briefly 20 of the Smyrna fig and 

 caprifig varieties. These descriptions, as well as those by George C. 

 Roeding, have been drawn upon to a considerable extent, while those 

 of seedling varieties which have originated in California are from the 

 studies of the writer at the Loomis orchard and other localities where 

 these varieties are in cultivation. The attempt is made in the descrip- 

 tions, when practicable, to give sufficient details to enable the reader 

 to identify the variety. 



SMYRNA VARIETIES. 



Lob Ingir. — The Lob Ingir (fig. 1) known also as Erbeyli, Calimyrna, etc., is the 

 great commercial fig of the Meander Valley, Asia Minor, commonly called Smyrna, 

 after the port from which it is exported to all parts of the world. The tree is a vigorous 

 grower; leaves very large, up to 8 by 10 inches, with generally five lobes, a few with 

 three, and occasionally entire; lobes separated by broad, deep sinuses, obtuse toward 

 apex, finely to coarsely serrate, dark glossy green and rough above, lighter and smooth 

 beneath; petioles and veins greenish white; the former about half the length of the 

 blade; stipules pointed, brown when falling; fruit medium to very large, flat or onion 

 shaped, up to 3 inches in diameter, flat at apex; skin very thin, color light pea green 

 when immature, delicately pubescent, fading to delicate light lemon yellow at 

 maturity, with scattered whitish dots, some of which are elongated; thin, medium to 

 short neck; stem very short; eye large, open, bordered by whitish protruding scales 

 a little lighter than the skin, surrounded by a dark ring or iris, ribs conspicuous from 

 apex to stem, branched, smoothing out as the fruit ripens; seeds large but not very 

 abundant; pulp pink when unripe, deepening to dark amber at maturity; flesh thin, 

 white or greenish white. The sweetest and most luscious fig for consumption fresh 

 and unequaled as a dried fruit. Introduced into this country from Asia Minor by the 

 writer, a small shipment arriving in 1880 and 14,000 cuttings during the winter of 

 1881-82. 



Kassaba. — Introduced from Asia Minor in 1882; tree vigorous, an upright grower, 

 outer branches drooping under a heavy load of fruit; leaves very large, up to 8 by 10 

 inches, nearly all three lobed; lobes broad toward apex, blunt, making a right angle; 

 sinuses shallow, one-fourth depth of blade, lobes occasionally overlapping; upper 

 surface light glossy green, slightly rough to the touch, smooth and lighter beneath; 

 edges fine to coarsely serrate; petioles and veins greenish white, tomentose, the 

 former one-fourth to one-third the length of the blade; stipules pointed, light green; 

 fruit pyriform, lopsided, truncate; color pea green, fading to lemon yellow at maturity, 

 lighter toward apex; ribs prominent, branched, wider apart toward neck, extending 

 almost from apex to stem; skin with delicate whitish bloom and faint whitish dots; 

 neck short, stout, stem very short; eye medium, open, bra-cts pinkish and not pro- 

 truding; pulp pinkish red, darkening to brown at maturity, flesh rather thick before 

 maturity, tinged with green which penetrates a sixteenth of an inch from the skin; 

 seeds medium to large, but not numerous. 



Blowers. — Tree thrifty and vigorous, of upright growth; leaves very large, mostly 

 three lobed, a few with five lobes, dark glossy green, rough above, lighter below, veins 

 and petioles yellowish green, edges of lobes dentate; petioles about one-third the length 

 of blade: fruit medium, globose, flattened at apex; ribs irregular, prominent, and 

 darker than skin between ; skin lemon yellow, covered with scattered whitish dots ; neck 

 small, bent to one side, longer than in the Lob Ingir; stem medium length; pulp 



