Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-29
An Interesting Paper on the
Fruits History.
How 1t Came to California
from Asia Minor.
A Paper Read Before the Marysyille
Fruit Convention.
Fig Culture In this State-W. @. Vests
Adventure In Smyrna Its Sue
cessful Culture About
Fresno.

Among the most interesting papers
read before the Marysviile F:uit Grow
ers convention, was one by George G.
Roeding, of Fresno county, on the SMYRNA
fig. The article is here presented for
the first time, and is worth cutting out,
and pasting in a scrap-book for future
reference. sa
1t is now about ten years that the fig
industry has been vigorously prosecuted
by the orchardists of this state, their
universal aim being to produce fruit
that would compare favorably with, if
not equal the world-renowned Smyrna
fig of commerce, known as such for
more than two thousand years, and de-
scribed by the early authors of the an
.cient Greek era. Scientists OF a
later date have often attempted
to discover the secrets surround
ing the production of this fruit,
but thus far none have succeeded in
unraveling and explaining its mysteries
for practical use. 1t has always been q
puzzle to me how, in this long lapse of
time, Smyrna has managed to maintain
monopoly OF the fig business, as un.
doubtedly Italy, Spain, Portugal and
the southern portion OF France, must
have equal facilities in soil and climate
for the production of figs. But none OF
these countries, though growing numer-
ous kinds OF fig fruit for food and for
table use, have ever succeeded in pro-
ducing dried fig that can compete
with Smyrna, and any one inquiring for
first-class dried fruit along the Mediter-
ranean coast is always directed to Asia
Minor ae the only place where it can be
obtained in its well known perfection.
IN THIS COUNTRY.
Among those who have taken lively
interest in this country in the fig busi-
ness may say that the Fancher Greek
nursery has done considerable share
by importing and planting numerous
varieties of cuttings from Smyrna and
other places, and it is only during the
last two years that any practical results
have followed its exertions.
With. the introduction OF the White
Adriatic variety it was thought the
problem had been solved and while it
cannot be denied that this kind produces
one of the finest OF table fruits, it must
at the same time be admitted that when
dried it does not co ne up to the stand
ard of the imported fig from Smyrna,
lacking in its most essential points, VIZ:
Tenderness OF skin and the flavor.
The early conviction of this truth in
duced the proprietor of the above nur-
sery to send his foreman, w. G. West, in
the year 1886, to Smyrna, for the purpose
of investigating the fig business on the
spot and to obtain variety OF cuttings
and all possible information for the sue
cessful prosecution of the business in
this state. Mr.. West remained in
Smyrna four months, and after consid-
erable difficulty succeeded in securing
several thousand OF the Smyrna fig cut
tiugs, as we'll as quite number OF wild
figs ana few OF such varieties as are
grown for home consumption, some
being used in the green state and others
drieds Mr. Vests trip and experiences
will probably be Of interest, and the foi-
lowing is copy OF his letter OF Novem-
Der 6, 1886:
DIFFICULTIES.
am having no end of trouble. |
find have been watched by the people
here since first landing, The parties
from which first engaged cuttings have
refused to let me have any at any price,
and do not know what to do. L went
to the American consul for assistance.
He informed me that could only OBJ
tain the cuttings through foreign resi-
dent, as the Smyrna people were much
opposed to sending cuttings of any kind
out of the country for fear decomposition. OF
Seeing the utter uselessness of trying to
secure the cuttings directly, took out
hunting license, and with passport
which had used on former trip, l, with
Mr.. Hall, gentleman who had resided
number of years in Smyrna, started
for the interior, and was successful in
getting cuttings from Erbold, (this is
the valley where the finest figs are
grown.) I did not appear in the trans
action at all, but was shooting in the
orchard where the cuttings were being
gathered, and kept watch of the Turks
all the time to see that the cuttings
were cut from the right trees. From
the valley I shipped them by the Adm
railroad to Smyrna as licorice roots,
the company refusing to take them un-
less consigned in this manner. On the
arrival at their destination the pack
ages were placed in the warehouse OF
the English Steamship company, and
there packed with sawdust in boxes
lined with thick paper, and shipped on
steamer bound for London.
With the assistance of Mr.. Van Lem
nip secured the wild fig cuttings and
also quite number of other varieties.
JEALOUS oRIENTALs.
After Mr.. Vests departure the fol-
lowing appeared in the Oriental Adver-
tiser, published in Constantinoplc, Of
December 1865, from their Smyrna cor
respondent:
We often hear people exclain, 81 don't
care fig" as if they considered fig
very small matter. Gus American
cousins, however, look at it from dif
ferent point, that is to say, from com
mercial point of view.
We always thought the fig growers o
Asia Minor1were jealous Of any foreign
competition, and we gave them credi
for q certain amount OF worldly foresight
and wisdom; but we find that it re
quires but little of the gold dust of th,
New World to blind them to their owl
Rho A h~.xo -.