32 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
The third crop of caprifigs in Mr. Roeding’s home orchard, near Fresno, 
invariably drop during the winter, but he has found that in caprifigs growing 
at his foothill place the figs hang on during the winter. He has made 
every effort to introduce Blastophaga at that place also, and it is very possible 
that the insect will successfully hibernate there, if it does not do so at the 
valley place. There is even a strong possibility that no more importations may 
be needed. There is also a possibility that the insect will die out owing to 
variation in season of blooming of the caprifig, and owing to the fact, per- 
haps, that the right varieties are not growing at Fresno. The present year’s 
experience, however, has shown that the insect can be brought over and can 
•establish itself. We know the proper date and w'e know where to get the 
Blastophagas at the proper date. Thanks to Mr. Swingle’s idea of sending 
over the mamme, or over-wintering caprifigs, instead of those of the profichi 
or spring crop, which were the ones invariably sent in the earlier private 
attempts which we have mentioned, and thanks also to his excellent method 
of packing, the successful introduction for a season at least may be repeated 
indefinitely and with certainty. Efforts will now be made to introduce and 
to grow in different parts of California every possible variety of caprifig, and 
it is safe to say that what once seemed so difficult, if not improbable of 
accomplishment, is now comparatively certain, and there is every reason to 
Relieve that in the near future California will be growing and marketing dry 
figs which will rival the commercial product of Oriental regions. 
President Watrous announced that the extremely interesting and gratify- 
ing paper just read was open for discussion. 
Mr. Berekmans: We have tried in the South to cultivate White Smyrna 
figs as a commercial product for many years. I would be glad to learn what 
is the exact variety cultivated in Smyrna for commercial purposes and 
marketed in this country. Can Dr. Howard inform me? 
Dr. Howard was understood to reply that he was unable to give that 
information. 
Mr. Berekmans: In my travels through the south of Europe I investigated 
the fig question. Many varieties which I found to be quite distinct, in Italy, 
were always called under a generic name, hence the utter inability to arrive 
at a correct varietal nomenclature. 
I also had this matter as a subject for conversation, in California, with Dr. 
Eisen, who could not give me the information upon the subject that I desired. 
I have under cultivation upwards of forty varieties of figs; but out 
of that number not more than four or five could be recommended for general 
cultivation. They are as follows: Celestial, Brown Turkey, Green Ischia, 
Black Ischia and Brunswick. We have also frequently endeavored to dry 
these but never succeeded in producing a bright colored article; the product 
being always dark, not equal in color to the ordinary grades which we find 
in the market. With improved drying apparatus no doubt a better article 
■can be produced. 
Dr. Howard’s remarks refer to the caprification of figs in California, but 
fig culture to a certain extent 'is possible here. In the years of my annual 
pilgrimage to my friend, the late Mr. Downing, during the month of Septem • 
ber, he invariably had a basket of ripe figs for me. These were produced in 
open ground, the branches being pegged down at the approach of cold 
weather, then covered with litter and in the spring uncovered. In this way 
he never failed to produce a good crop of fruit. But I would suggest to 
those who intend to grow figs in this latitude to use mainly what are called 
