322 Sttuations and Soils for the Fig. 
REGIONS SUITED FOR THE FIG. 
Though there are still many fine points to be determined 
as to what situations and conditions favor the production of 
the very finest figs, and there are indications that there is possi- 
bly much difference, it may be truly said that a very small part 
oi the State is really unsuited to its growth. If one shuns the 
immediate coast of the upper part of the State, where the sum- 
mer temperature 1s too low for successful ripening, and keeps 
below the altitude of the mountains where winter killing of the 
tree is possible, he can grow figs almost anywhere. 
Selection of varieties adapted to particular situations has 
much to do with the success of the fig, as with other fruits, and, 
therefore, a broad statement of adaptability must be received 
with such an understanding. The intrusion of the coast influ- 
ences borne eastward by the winds of summer, as described in 
Chapter I, give a night temperature too low for ripening of 
some varieties, which turn sour upon the trees. Present indi- 
cations are that the finest dried figs, having the thinnest skin 
and the nearest approach generally to the fig of Smyrna, the 
commercial standard for dried figs, will be produced in the drier 
portions of the valleys and foot-hills. Even in southern Cali- 
fornia fig-scuring is quite prevalent and selection of locations 
must be circumspectly made. More time is requisite for the 
final demonstration of these matters, although years have al- 
ready been devoted to the problem. 
SOILS FOR THE FIG. 
As it must be left with the future to determine the mooted 
point as to the influence of special situations upon the bearing 
of the fig, and the more minute characteristics of the fruit, so 
more experience is needed to demonstrate the comparative effects 
of different soils. It might seem, from the fact of the age of 
our trees in different parts of the State, that time enough had 
elapsed to determine these points, but it must be remembered 
that all our oldest trees are of the very hardy variety found at 
the missions, and conclusions drawn from them as to all vari- 
eties are unsafe. 
The fig will thrive in any soil that one would think of se- 
lecting for any of our common orchard trees, and, in fact, the fig 
succeeds on a wider range of svils than any one of them. One 
is safe in planting figs for family use, or for marketing, wher- 
ever the summer temperature is high enough to ripen the fruit 
well, and the winter temperature high enough to preserve the 
life of the tree. This applies merely to the successful growth of 
the fig; to secure ripening at a time when the fruit can be profit- 
ably sold for table use, is another question. 
