1 May, 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 379 
SOIL, 
The soil in the Meander Valley, where the fig of commerce grows, is, 
owing to its position, very loose, and very deep, and has the advantage of 
retaining moisture. Many opinions have been advanced to me why this valley 
is so adapted for this peculiar kind of fig, gne being that the tree requires 
moisture, and the character of the soil is such that it retains it. Another, that 
the valley is sheltered, which is the case; it is surrounded by mountains. 
Another, that the soil contains a certain amount of sweetness, as a proof of 
which is instanced the immense quantity of Liquorice it produces. It is 
impossible, to my mind, to arrive at any correct conclusion, because cultivation 
is carried on so recklessly and stupidly that itis difficult to say what are the 
precise advantages from which the tree profits. 
CULTIVATION. 
The cultivation as conducted by the natives is bad. The soil is badly tilled, 
the trees badly grown, they are untrained, and the suckers which grow off the 
parent tree, under the delusion that they add to the producing power, are 
fastened on to the tree. No doubt this givesa greater bulk, but it is not 
agriculture. Rules as to drainage are utterly disregarded ; the fig may require 
much moisture, but a certain amount of ‘drainage is also necessary. I. have 
seen a whole plantation flooded with rain water for want of escape, simply 
because the natives are too lazy to form the ground properly. All Englishmen 
to whom I have spoken agree with me that the impressions which I formed as 
to the slovenliness of the peasants are quite correct, and I am certain that as a 
consequence of bad cultivation the fig has deteriorated. The skin is leathery, 
and the flavour poor. The fact is, Nature has done so much in Asia Minor 
that man is not inclined to exert himself. ‘ 
RAINFALL. 
The rainfall at Aidin* for the twelve months from July, 1895, to June, 
1896, was 21°71, and from July, 1896, to June, 1897, was 26:45. In ordinary 
régime July and August are rainless in all the country from Smyrna to 
Ortakehi. If there is rain, as, 1am informed, there was this year, it is not 
seasonable for the fig, and if there is rain early in September it is damaging, 
inasmuch as it prevents the completion of the drying and interferes with the 
despatch of the fruit in its best condition. 
TEMPERATURE, 
The temperature in the shade runs freely to 90 degrees Fahr., any time in 
June to August, and with north-easteriy winds to 95 degrees to 100 degrees 
occasionally. In winter it runs as low as 45 degrees to 50 degrees. I have not 
been able to obtain complete data as to the temperature, because no record is 
kept, but I am informed by the British Vice-Consul at Aidin that the above is 
a correct estimate. 
PRODUCTION, 
T have been informed by the Director of the Railways that his lines have 
earried this year to port (Smyrna) over 30,000 tons of figs; this, of course, 
does not represent the whole production, which this year was below the average 
owing to unseasonable rains, for immense quantities are carried by the caravans, 
besides the enormous consumption in the country. Apart from the fig, which 
is the staple product of the country, corn, maize, barley, oats, millet, and all 
cereals are grown. All fruit, excepting tropical fruit, grow; the date palm is 
grown but does not bear fruit owing to too much cold in winter. 
* Aidin is a Turkish village eighty-one miles from Smyrna, in the heart of the fig-growing district. 
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