MEDICINAL VALUE OF FRUIT 



43 



made a distance of fifteen hundred miles, but under 

 unusual conditions for gathering the fruit and in 

 transportation that could not be depended upon as 

 a commercial rule. While the taste for fresh figs 

 is acquired, that for preserves is natural. When 

 thoroughly ripe it has a laxative effect so well rec- 

 ognized that at least two brands of patent medicine 

 in large use employ the term in their labels and ad- 

 vertisements. This effect is carried into the pre- 

 served article, and in that state the fruit is not only 

 palatable, but has medicinal value so well recog- 

 nized as to be prescribed for very young infants 

 whose digestion has been impaired. However, in 

 this connection, it must be said there is an occasional 

 person to whom the seeds act as an irritant in the 

 stomach. 



It is impossible to make a general statement that 

 would give proper methods of growing yard fig 

 trees, for conditions are so different as to soil, water, 

 exposure and temperature that beneficial treatment 

 for one might be injurious to others even a few feet 

 or a block away. For instance, a tree with roots un- 

 der a house, or covered with wood, or litter, needs 

 little attention, while those exposed to the sun in a 

 grass sod will easily suffer if not carefully tilled. 

 The writer has seen fruit gathered every day during 

 July, August and September from a single large Ce- 

 leste tree on a town lot, the continuous crop result- 

 ing from care in stirring the soil and an adequate 

 water supply. In the case in mind water was used 



