SOME OTHEE TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS. 207 



Under sucli circumstances little olive oil is produced in 

 California or in tho United States. The main crop as yet 

 grown in California is used for pickling when green for 

 shipment to the States east of the mountains. Ripe-pickled 

 olives are also prepared in large quantity for use on the 

 west coast. In this form they are a healthy and nutritious 

 food, as well as a luxury. Tourists who will not touch the 

 green-pickled olives use the ripe ones freely. But as yet 

 the ripe ones are rarely obtainable in the Eastern States, 

 as they are not put up in shape for distant shipment, except 

 in expensive bottles for those who can aSord to use them. 

 The olive-pickling and oil-producing for market are special 

 processes that require practical instruction not easily given 

 on the printed page. 



205. The Fig. — This ancient fruit, now found in about 

 all subtropical climates, also seems to have originated in 

 central Asia, and to this day a large part of the commer- 

 cial dried figs found in every civilized market come from 

 Syria, Turkey in Asia, and Algeria, mainly. In Asia 

 Minor, Turkestan, Persia, and in fact over a large part of 

 Asia, it is a staple food-plant of the people and has been 

 for centuries. Yet the varieties grown in the Gulf States, 

 and mainly as yet in California, were introduced from 

 Spain or south Europe or are seedlings from this race 

 known to botanists as Ficus carica, variety Hortensis. 

 These varieties are grown as home fruits, but they have 

 never attained a commercial status in a fresh state or 

 dried, except for local use and shipment at a price less 

 than is obtained for the Oriental varieties. 



At present the "White Adriatic variety is capable of self- 

 pollination and has proven most profitable for drying on 

 account of its color and quality. The California black is 

 also widely planted ar.d hiis proven hardy and productive. 

 It is a popular table fig and excellent when dried, but the 



