SMYRNA FIG CULTURE. 19 
CAPRIFICATION NOT AN EXPENSIVE OPERATION. 
Occasionally fig growers raise objection to thecultivation of Smyrna 
figs on account of the trouble of caprification, but as there is no other 
way of raising them the grower must submit to the slight handicap 
if he wishes to produce dried figs of high quality. It has been found 
from experience that one man can caprify about 40 acres. His time 
will be consumed for a period of about three weeks. Mr. George C. 
Roeding, of Fresno, Cal., says that the cost of the work in his large 
orchard does not exceed 2 cents per tree, or from $1 to $1.50 per acre. 
Fig. 8.—Change in appearance of figs due to caprification. ‘Two caprified figs are 
shown on the left, three uncaprified ones on the right. 
WHEN TO GATHER PROFICHI CAPRIFIGS. 
The proper condition for gathering profichi caprifigs 1s easily ascer- 
tained by opening a few figs and looking for the appearance of the 
male, as previously mentioned, but is readily indicated by a slight 
softening of the fig. 
Experience has developed some methods of handling profichi figs 
that are worth mentioning. The spring generation of Blastophaga 
commences to issue from about the tenth of June to the first week in 
July, the time depending upon the locality and the weather, warm 
