24 
A GOOD FIG ORCHARD BRINGS 
It is an erroneous idea that figs will stand rough treatment, careless or no 
pruning and little or no cultivation and produce regular and abundant crops. 
No tree responds more readily to proper care, cultivation and pruning, and 
where this is practiced the reward is a bountiful crop of this most luscious 
fruit. 
The trees should be planted not less than 30 feet apart which distance re¬ 
quires 48 trees to the acre. On heavy, rich soils 35 feet apart is preferable. 
Where too closely crowded they will not bear regular crops and the severe 
pruning rquired cuts away the bearing surface of the tree. For border pur¬ 
poses they are planted 30 feet apart. 
Pruning is one of the most essential points in growing a fig orchard. When 
the tree is planted, cut it back to 18 inches from the ground and the first winter 
cut the branches back to about 12 inches, being sure to wax all cuts; leave 
three or four branches to form the head of the tree, distributed around the 
trunk so that they will not eventually crowd one another. The second season 
cut away two-thirds of the new growth, leaving not more than two shoots on 
each of the framework branches. The third season shorten in the new growth 
one-half and reduce the lateral branches to two on each of the limbs shortened 
in the previous season. The pruning for the following years should be only to 
remove interfering limbs or such limbs as will choke the tree. Do not fail to 
protect the bodies of the trees with protectors the first two years after planting. 
Fig trees usually come into bearing the fourth year after planting and by 
giving the orchard the care and attention required, it should begin bearing 
profitable crops the eighth year. 
Figs are divided into three classes, i. e., Adriatic, Smyrna and Capri, and 
are so listed in the descriptions of the varieties we offer. 
The Adriatic type of fig contains mule flowers and fertilization by the use of 
the fig wasp, Blastophaga Grossorum, is not required for perfecting the fruit. 
In the Smyrna type of fig if the female flowers are not fertilized by the 
transmission of pollen from the Wild or Capri class of fig through the agency 
of the fig wasp, Blastophaga Grossorum, the figs, when about half grown, will 
dry up and drop to the ground. 
The Capri or Wild fig serves as a home for the fig wasp, Blastophaga Gros¬ 
sorum. The Capri trees bear three crops a year; the Mamme or over-winter¬ 
ing crop, the Profichi or spring crop, and the Mammoni or summer crop. 
The perpetuation of the insect depends on these succeeding crops. 
The fertilization of Smyrna figs is accomplished by suspending the Profichi 
crop of Capri or Wild figs in the Smyrna trees in June, the Profichi crop 
being the only crop that contains the pollen necessary for this fertilization. 
It is absolutely necessary to plant the Wild or Capri figs with the Smyrna 
trees, at least five Capri trees to each one hundred of the Smyrna type. 
The harvesting and curing of the fig is very simple. The figs drop to the 
ground when ripe and are picked up in lug boxes and hauled from the field. 
They are then spread on trays and stacked. Before delivering them to the 
packing house they should be dipped in a hot salt brine containing four 
ounces of salt to one gallon of water and allowed to remain in this solution 
from fifteen to twenty minutes, they are then taken out, spread on trays and 
allowed to dry off for not more than one-half day, after which they are 
dumped in sweat boxes and stacked ready for delivery to the packing house. 
Prices of Fig Trees—Adriatic and Smyrna Varieties 
Each 
10 
100 
1000 
4 to 5 
ft. 
..$0.60 
$5.00 
$35.00 
$300.00 
3 to 4 
ft . 
.50 
4.00 
30.00 
250.00 
2 to 3 
ft. 
.40 
3.00 
25.00 
200.00 
IV 2 to 
2 ft. 
.30 
2.50 
20.00 
150.00 
Calimyrna The cu l ture of Smyrna figs in California began in 1882 when 
a large number of scions were imported from Smyrna. Out of 
this consignment developed a number of varieties of which one stood pre-emi¬ 
nently to the front. For the purpose of marketing this now famous variety it 
was given the trade name “Calimyrna.” 
The tree is a strong grower of spreading habit, leaves large and deeply lobed, 
of dark green color, and slightly downy underneath. 
Fruit large to very large, skin fine lemon yellow color, flesh thick and 
meaty and of a dark amber color when ripe. 
The dried product contains a higher percentage of sugar than any other fig. 
Dries readily and makes the finest commercial packed product. 
