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have had in the past, and most of the members of the convention are 

 familiar with the fact, that in 1882 they brought to this country a quantity 

 of fig cuttings, which they obtained through United States Consul Smithers 

 at Smyrna, and distributed to the subscribers of the "Bulletin" through- 

 out the State. Some of the same importation was grown by W. B. West, 

 of Stockton, and Robert Williamson, of Sacramento. They planted the 

 cuttings in nursery, and until two or three years ago they were not placed 

 on the market. Three years ago Mr. Williamson offered some of his rooted 

 cuttings, and I purchased two of them, not knowing what I was getting, but 

 as they were asserted to be a fine variety of figs, I planted them in the foot- 

 hills of Placer County. I have fruited them two years, and the result I 

 bring before you to-day. I was not aware of the value of this fig until it 

 fruited the first year. As it grew upon the tree I saw it had a beautiful 

 appearance, and as I tasted it I found that it was superior to anything I 

 ever tasted before in the way of a green fig, although I do not deem it a 

 very good fig for table fruit, because it is too rich for that purpose. But 

 on drying I find that it produces a fig which I think will prove in the future 

 to be superior to the real fig of commerce. Similar to the experience of 

 others, I made some mistakes in endeavoring to manipulate my figs, and 

 spoiled about two thirds of my crop this year trying to make something out 

 of the fig according to the directions I received of the drying processes used 

 in Smyrna. In disgust, during the second week in September, I put out 

 the fruit to dry, without any dipping processes whatever, thinking it would 

 prove its own merits. Therefore I gathered my fruit and simply submitted 

 it to a ten-minute bath of sulphur vapor directly after picking. Then I 

 placed them in the sun and dried them, as I have said, without any dip- 

 ping or other manipulation. These figs I show you to-day; they speak for 

 themselves, and'do not need any recommendation. I have before me the 

 imported article, and exhibit, side by side, two figs — one imported from 

 Smyrna direct, and the other of my own production. The difference is in 

 favor of the California fig, because it is almost transparent, while the gen- 

 uine Smyrna is cloudy and more opaque. Therefore, I say we can raise 

 the superior fig in this State. 



In September I sent some specimens to the "Bulletin" Company, they 

 having been so kindly interested in importing the trees, and they were 

 submitted to a test by some experts in San Francisco, and I will read their 

 decision in regard to the matter from the San Francisco "Bulletin" of 

 October twenty-third: "On actual comparison with the best new crop of 

 Smyrna figs that could be found in market, they were pronounced superior 

 to the imported by such experts as Professor E. J. Wickson of the " Rural 

 Press," and the following merchants: A. Lusk, L. G. Sresovich, and G. 

 Onesti. Mr. Lusk, who, by the way, has handled imported figs in large 

 quantities for years, remarked that if California can produce such fruit as 

 that, we have no further use for the Smyrna." 



These gentlemen are all well known in this State, and their word is reli- 

 able. 



WHY THERE ARE NO MORE SPECIMENS. 



Now, the question may be asked why none others in this State have pro- 

 duced this fig. In conversation with Mr. Rixford he stated that in this 

 importation there were several varieties; that in procuring them the Consul 

 had to use hired help; that he sent out an Armenian to procure cuttings 

 and he had to go seventy-five miles from the home of the Consul. These 

 figs were brought here, and we find from their growth throughout the State 

 that there must have been from three to five varieties among them. The 



