SMYRNA FIG CULTURE. : 30 
caprifig varieties, either imported or originated from seed in this 
country, it is deemed sufficient to describe only those which from 
their desirable qualities are of permanent interest to Smyrna fig 
erowers. Dr. Eisen (11) describes briefly 20 of the Smyrna fig and 
-eaprifig varieties. These descriptions, as well as those by George C. 
Roeding, have been drawn upon to a considerable extent, while those 
of seedling varieties which have originated in California are from the 
studies of the writer at the Loomis orchard and other localities where 
these varieties are in cultivation. The attempt is made in the descrip- 
tions, when practicable, to give sufficient details to enable the reader 
to identify the variety. 
SMYRNA VARIETIES. 
Lob Ingir.—The Lob Ingir (fig. 1) known also as Erbeyli, Calimyrna, etc., is the 
ereat commercial fig of the Meander Valley, Asia Minor, commonly called Smyrna, 
after the port from which it is exported to all parts of the world. The tree is a vigorous 
erower; leaves very large, up to 8 by 10 inches, with generally five lobes, a few with 
three, and occasionally entire; lobes separated by broad, deep sinuses, optuse toward 
apex, finely to coarsely serrate, dark glossy green and rough above, lighter and smooth 
beneath; petioles and veins greenish white; the former about half the length of the 
blade; stipules pointed, brown when falling; fruit medium to very large, flat or onion 
shaped, up to 3 inches in diameter, flat at apex; skin very thin, color light pea green - 
when immature, delicately pubescent, fading to delicate light lemon yellow at 
maturity, with scattered whitish dots, some of which are elongated; thin, medium to 
short neck; stem very short; eye large, open, bordered by whitish protruding scales 
a little lighter than the skin, surrounded by a dark ring or iris, ribs conspicuous from 
apex to stem, branched, smoothing out as the fruit ripens; seeds large but not very 
abundant; pulp*pink when unripe, deepening to dark amber at maturity; flesh thin, 
white or greenish white. The sweetest and most luscious fig for consumption fresh 
and unequaled as a dried fruit. Introduced into this country from Asia Minor by the 
writer, a small shipment arriving in 1880 and 14,000 cuttings during the winter of 
1881-82. 
Kassaba.—Introduced from Asia Minor in 1882; tree vigorous, an upright grower, 
_ outer branches drooping under a heavy load of fruit; leaves very large, up to 8 by 10 
inches, nearly all three lobed; lobes broad toward apex, blunt, making a right angle; 
sinuses shallow, one-fourth depth of blade, lobes occasionaliy overlapping; upper 
surface light glossy green, slightly rough to the touch, smooth and lighter beneath; 
edges fine to coarsely serrate; petioles and veins greenish white, tomentose, the 
former one-fourth to one-third the length of the blade; stipules pointed, light green; 
fruit pyriform, lopsided, truncate; color pea green, fading to lemon yellow at maturity, 
lighter toward apex; ribs prominent, branched, wider apart toward neck, extending 
almost from apex to stem; skin with delicate whitish bloom and faint whitish dots; 
neck short, stout, stem very short; eye medium, open, bracts pinkish and not pro- 
truding; pulp pinkish red, darkening to brown at maturity, flesh rather thick before 
maturity, tinged with green which penetrates a sixteenth of an inch from the skin; 
- seeds medium to large, but not numerous. 
Blowers.—Tree thrifty and vigorous, of upright growth; leaves very large, mostly 
three lobed, a few with five lobes, dark glossy green, rough above, lighter below, veins 
and petioles yellowish green, edges of lobes dentate; petioles about one-third the length 
of blade: fruit medium, globose, flattened at apex; ribs irregular, prominent, and 
darker than skin between;skin lémon yellow, covered with scattered whitish dots; neck 
small, bent to one side, longer than in the Lob Ingir; stem medium length; pulp 
