BLACK MISSION ARE THE LEADING FIGS 
21 
the fig: wasp, Blastophaga Grossorum, is hot 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, Black Mission and Smyrna Varieties 
Each 10 100 1000 
4 to 5 ft .'. $ .70 $6.00 $45.00 $400.00 
3 to 4 ft. .. * .60 5.00 40.00 350.00 
2 to 3 ft . 50 4.00 35.00 300.00 
1% to 2 ft.; .40 3.50 30.00 250.00 
~ .. The culture of Smyrna figs in California began in 1882 when 
Lahmyrna 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. 
Calimyrna 
... , The Kadota is a vigorous grower and bears abundant crops of 
Radota medium size white figs which are used chiefly for canning and 
for pickling and is also recommended for its good qualities as a preserving 
variety. It has a very thin skin of golden yellow color. Pulp is white tinged 
with pink towards the center. Ripens the first week in August slightly in 
advance of the White Adriatic. 
Kadota is a good variety to plant because of the many ways in which it 
can be used. This fig is highly recommended as suited to all conditions where 
other figs can be grown. 
. Commonly known as Black Mission or California Black and is one 
Mission of the oldest figs grown in California. It is also grown in the 
Southern states and Mexico. 
