SMYRNA FIG CULTURE. 3 
historical times. The extreme ease with which it can be propagated 
from cuttings, its resistance to heat and drought, its early bearing, 
its value as human food, and the ease of its culture had in the early 
ages much to do with its wide dissemination. 
INTRODUCTION OF SMYRNA FIGS INTO THE UNITED STATES. 
Regarding the first introduction of the Smyrna fig into the United 
States, it may be mentioned that a detailed account by the writer of 
this bulletin was reprinted by Dr. Gustav Eisen (11, pp. 67-69) in 
1901. For present purposes a synopsis will be sufficient. 
Believing that the soil and climate of California were perfectly 
adapted to the growth of Smyrna figs, the writer, who was at that time 
business manager of the Evening Bulletin of San Francisco, Cal., in- 
duced the proprietors of that journal to make an appropriation of funds 
to undertake the introduction from Asia Minor of the genuine Smyrna 
fig of commerce. In January, 1880, the assistance of E. J. Smithers, 
then United States consul at Smyrna, was enlisted in aid of the enter- 
prise. A remittance was made to cover the expense of forwarding 
a small shipment of 500 cuttings, including a few caprifig cuttings. 
This shipment reached San Francisco on June 8, 1880, but owing to 
defective packing, a considerable portion of the wood had rotted and 
the season was so far advanced that the cuttings made but a feeble 
growth, although the greatest care was taken with them. However, 
200 of them were saved and showed promise of becoming thrifty trees. 
About this time Mr. Smithers arrived in San Francisco en route to 
Chinkiang, China, to which consulship he had just been assigned. 
He stated that at the time the shipment was made he and the drago- 
man of the consulate at Smyrna had caused to be planted 4,000 cut- 
tings, which had meantime become rooted trees and could be pur- 
chased at from 8 to 10 cents each, the usual price of trees in Asia 
Minor. Rather than disappoint the county subscribers of the paper 
who were expecting the promised trees that season, it was then deter- 
mined to import the whole lot. Funds were therefore forwarded to 
an American merchant in Smyrna with instructions to purchase the 
trees referred to and ship them at once. About the first of April, 
1881, instead of the trees, a letter dated February 16 came to hand, 
from which the following paragraph is taken: 
I have had Mr. at my office, who says that the 4,000 cuttings he had planted 
and to which your order refers (on E. J. Smithers’ suggestion) have by this time grown 
up into strong young trees from 4 to 6 feet high, and he is offered $1 per tree at the 
nursery at Aidin. He says he can not afford now to part with them at anything under 
$1.25 each, from this port (first cost). 
The prices mentioned in the letter discouraged further negotiations 
for this lot. However, correspondence was kept up with the agent 
during the summer, and in September, 1881, orders were sent to make 
