Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-16

granulations from which the small fibrous
roots spring readily, and the success of the
cutting-is thus assured, the top bud of the
cutting being left on level with the sur
face of the ground.
PROPER METHOD OF DRYING FIGS.
Figs should be hand-picked when the
skin is fully checked, that is to say, show
ing small white seams upon the surface
by which time the fruit has reached its
maturity. Be careful to pick or pinch the
fig close to the limb of the tree, so as to
leave all the stem on the fruit, otherwise
ii will be seriously injured for drying pur-
poses. 1t must be dried upon trays in the
sun, care should be taken that they shall
be turned over at least once day, until
the greenish tinge entirely disappears,
when they are ready to be taken indoors
for packing. While drying, the figs should
never be left out in the open air after
o'clock P. NJ, nor should they be exposed
to the sun again until all the dew is dis
persed in the morning as the least mois-
ture will entirely spoil their flavor and ap-
pearance, and render them unfit for use,
Avoid packing windfalls, because they are
utterly worthless for commercial purposes,
and will greatly detract from the value of
a whole consignment, perhaps lead TO its
figs should be hastily dipped
in clean, boiling-hot sea-water, to guard
against all danger of attack from the worm
so destructive to the fruit then properly
packed and thoroughly pressed in tin cans,
Theoretically sealed and labeled. In all
cases the fig should be left in its nat
ural state and sugar or other eonfec-
tons discarded. These directions must
be strictly observed if you wish to
obtain choice article that will command
ready sale and top prices in the market.
Even our common black fig. treated ac-
cording to the above method will 'astonish
the natives
THE HOME OF THE ADRIATIc FIG, AND DALMA-
TAN METHODS.
Scarcely day passes since I presented
the White Adriatic to the public. but | am
obliged to answer many questions IL re-
gard to this valuable fig. 1t is grown very
extensively for profit in Dalmatia--a coun-
try similar to our California foothills in
appearance with great difference as to
the quantity and depth of the soil. The
California foothills would be great gift to
Dalmatians, as they could then find plenty
Of soil in which to plant their fig trees,
olives and vines. As Dalmatia is the home
of all three of these, wish to describe the
primitive methods which are still pursued
there. In the first place, all the clear land
is planted to olives grain. fruit and vege-
tables, while the steep, billy country is
worked up with picks and crowbars, so
that every small or large stone is
turned over and over, and every
handful of soil is picked up
by scraping each hole and crevice AS
they go they build benches of the stones,
after the style of TIE steps to house, and
every eight feet a grapevine is planted,
where a basketful of soil can be given to
each vine, the balance being nothing but
rocks; wherever a receptacle is found so
that three or four bushels of earth can be
spared for one spot, there is where fig
tree is planted. These vines and fig trees
never receive any attention but pruning, as
no hoe or cultivator can be used around
them. remember seeing weeds grow
very tall in the spring of the year upon
those benches among the rocks, which
were pulled by hand and carefully dried
for hay, or fed to animals while green, as
nothing of the sort is allowed TO go to
waste. Even the grape cuttings are fed to
mules and horses in the winter time, or
they are cut up and used for bedding for
the animals, and afterwards for manuring
the scanty soil.
WORD ABOUT THE OLIVE.
I had no intention of introducing the
olive into this article but am so astonished
at the ignorance shown by careless writers
for the press, in asserting that it will thrive
IN the poorest, rocky soil, without any care
or attention whatever, that | cannot forbear
interpolating at present word upon the
subject. Not only is it not true that the
olive will thrive in poorest rocky soil, but
it must be carefully planted in good soil,
be well cultivated and judiciously pruDed,
otherwise it will never prosper The fig
must be planted where it will receive no
cultivation. and no pruning is necessary,
unless to keep the branches from spreading
too much especially when planted along
roads or avenues.
VARIETIES OF FIGS FOR SPECIAL USES.
The White Adriatic fig should be the
only kind planted in this country for DRY
ing, while the Petrovacia. the Carghigna,
Cernica and Zimica will be choice varieties
for table use but these cannot now be OBJ
tanned in any quantity, with the exception
" the Petroyacia or San Pedro The otker
varieties, of which have imported several
will be offered at some future time when
can first show the fruit. They are not of
the drying kind, but are most excellent
table varieties. As soon as they fruit, |
shall be most happy 10 present them to
lruit-growers for examination and compar-
ison, but will not attempt TO offer any trees
for sale until the quality of the fruit can
be demonstrated.
l Az w me <auildtlC Is the strongest
grower and best bearer of the figs, and
will be the leading stock in my nursery,
which will be devoted in the future
chiefly to the propagation of figs, olives
and shipping grapes. The Buhach Pro-
ducing and Manufacturing Company, of
which | am member, was influenced, at
first, to start the nursery not as a business,
but to propagate choice trees and vines for
its own planting; and now, having $50 acres
Of trees and 10000 choice grape vines, is
amply contented with the results of its la
bors, and intends hereafter TO introduce
only such varieties of figs, olives and grapes
as ii hopes will be f general benefit to The
growth and prosperity of the State at large.
s1@zz-z-1r.zar-n7xzE