LUTHER BURBANK 



This is probably because the Capri fig has 

 never been cultivated for color; in fact very little 

 attention has been given to it, even for the 

 development of vigor and productivity. 



About the only attention paid it by the fruit 

 grower has had reference to the ^rly or late time 

 of blooming. This is important merely because it 

 is necessary that staminate and pistillate plants 

 should bloom at the same time, else the fig wasp 

 obviously cannot perform its poU^nizing service. 



A pound of European figs, grown from flowers 

 fertilized by the Capri insect (otherwise the seeds 

 would be infertile) will produce perhaps ten thou- 

 sand seedlings. But it requires patience to wait 

 fifteen or twenty years to test the fruit, and it 

 cannot be fairly tested in less time. 



It is difficult to hasten the process by grafting 

 because the fig cion does not take kindly to being 

 transplanted. 



Doubtless a satisfactory method of grafting 

 might be developed, however, were sufficient at- 

 tention given to the subject. Perhaps nothing more 

 would be necessary than to protect the cion care- 

 fully against drying, by covering it with a paper 

 bag until union has taken place, as is done in 

 grafting the orange and various other fruits, and 

 the walnut. 



As just stated, the attempts to hybridize the fig 



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