THE FIG 261 



amount of sugar is nourishing and being one of nature's 

 best laxatives, pleasant to the taste, mild yet positive in 

 effect, it may be given more freely — ^with greater safety 

 in quantity — to many more people (from children to 

 those most advanced in years) than decidedly acid fruits. 

 Figs are also considered good for the kidneys and because of 

 their demulcent property are sometimes given in pulmonary 

 troubles. Externally applied they are considered very 

 healing (as in the days of Hezekiah) and so, roasted gently 

 or boiled, the inner part is not infrequently used as a poul- 

 tice. It is said that among the Malays the juice of one 

 species of fig, the F. toxicaria, is used for poisoning arrows. 

 With some figs the milk is very mild but with many others 

 is acrid though not harmful as with the toxicaria. It was 

 without doubt this very common, temporary stinging sen- 

 sation ■vyhich gave rise to the custom of eating fresh figs as 

 below. 



Wherever this fruit grows every effort should be made 

 to put by a goodly store for future use for, perhaps, in 

 addition to its wholesome qualities there is no fruit which 

 dried, or preserved by some method of cooking, so retains or 

 so transforms its charms into equal attractiveness. It is 

 almost unique in being as agreeable dried as in its original, 

 fresh juiciness and its saccharine quality is greater. 



RECIPES 



TO EAT FRESH FIGS 

 When figs are served at the table uncooked hold them 

 by the stem and with a small knife cut the fruit across twice, 

 at right angles, downward as far as the stem. Thus 

 quartered the pulp will open and hang slightly outward 

 but will not become entirely detached. Then with the 

 knife separate the pulp from the skin, gently scraping it 



