The record-union., 1892-11-23
GUS Man.

Gus Man.
1t is widely believed that. as yet, Cali
fornia has not produced a fig which has
been able TO take the highest rank in
Eastern markets, beside the best products
from the groves of Smyrna, says the Cali
fornia Fruit- Gro0er. There be ing grow
ers among us who will vigorously dis
pute this statement, but so long as we
have the voice OF the market in conhrma-
ton we feel safe in making the assertion.
There is a certain flavor found in the
best products of Turkey which IS gener-
ally believed to be due to the matured
seeds of such figs, which we are unable
to reach thus far in our California figs,
good and palatable as they otherwise are.
Acres of manuscript have been written to
prove that the fig wasp is wholly re-
sponsible for the mature seeds in the
Turkish figs which impart so desirable
flavor to the cured fruit. This PROPOSE
ton has been as stoutly denied, and it is
still an unsettled question in California.
1t is quite possible that the blastOphaga
war which has at times ragged with some
Vlrulence has really been unnecessary
1t may yet be found that the best smyrna
figs, including the historical blastophaga,
transpianted TO our soil and climate, may
not yield the same results as when DaSk-
ing in the sunny domain of the Turks.
Professor Smith, who has but lately
returned from a visit to nearly all com
peting fruit-growing regions Of Europe,
Asia Minor and Northern Africa, finds
that the Symrna sig Of commerce" is
confined TO a very limited area. AS we
understand him, the fig which we all ad-
mire so much, when produced III GER
tain lOcality--its only home from time
immemorial-dOes not produce the same
quality Of cured fruit Wnen growing
even a short distance outside OF the
charmed environment wherein it has at
tanned its worldwide fame. He believes
that the peculiar conditions surrounding
the fig in the very small territory where
1t reaches 50 great perfection, are the po-
tent factors OF its production, and that
the same fig transplauted elsewhere is
almost sure TO lack some of the most val
liable attributes of the parent. 1t there
fore seems to US reasonable probability
that we must in California seek new
fig which shall mature its seed, and other
wise take on the qualities so greatly de-
sired. We hope California hOrticulturists
generally will take hold OF this feature of
the case, with a view to demonstrating
whether we may not originate lig here,
50 well adapted to our general conditions
biil1 W Z SlidlA 1lO lOuR5I lOOh " / uIhtE OF
any other country as models 10 pattern
after in the production OF this valuable
fruit.
TOBACCO, SEED CORN AND SEED WHEAT.
There is no cereal plant grown that is
not divided into many varieties, and
each section of the United States is more
favorable to some varieties than TO others
The climate and soil will even sometimes
compel variety to change its character
10 toll
that Virginia and kentucky, the two
leading tobacco-producing States, are un-
able to compete with Pennsylvania or
Connecticut in the production of the va
rites of tobacco most suitable for cigar
manufacturing. If seed from Connecti-
cut is placed in Virginia the result will
be plants OF different kind from those
from which the seeds were secured, the
texture OF the leaf, as well as the flavor
being entirely changed. Cigar wrappers
are not produced in Virginia, although it
has been attempted by the selection of
varieties for that purpose, and tobacco
from which plugs are made cannot be
produced in Connecticut OF the proper
texture and flavor required.
When farmers procure their seed corn,
wheat, oats and other vegetables from eli
mates differing from their own, in order
to secure some improved vaEiety. they
may unintentionally make a mistake that
may tdLASt All par dDlb lOAS- All plants
are more or less modified by climate and
soil, and some plants will only thrive
where they originated. As much as 40
bushels of white flint corn, grown on a
Southern farm was brought TO Peunsvl-
vania for experiment nut it proved a
failure in this State, while attempts to
succeed with the Chester County pourd
seed corn in the South have not been re-
warded with the accomplishment of the
object sought.
Wheats are also subject to climatic in
f1uence, and it is safe to claim that nearly
every variety OF wheat known has been
transferred from its original locality to
other sections; yet varieties that WELD
largely in some sections meet with re-
verses IN others. The catalogue of garden
vegetables is long one, and every season
new varieties are added, but there is as
yet no special vegetable that NAV be
styled ''national,' that is adapted to all
sections The general purpose variety
OF any plant IS as ulincuIt a problem to
solve as is the general purpose animal.
Variety IS important, but the most potent
and governing factors are climate and
soil.
There should be plot for testing new
varieties Oh all farms. Fortunately.
farmers, as a class, are fraternal and
communicative, and any successes or
failures with varieties in a neighborhood
are nude known. This should not deter
each farmer from experimenting on his
individual responsibility, however. as
soils dliler on adjoining farms. 1t is the
duty OF farmers 70 test ali new varieties.
as they may lose by not so doing. but no
farmer should make a radical change bv
substituting new variety for one that
ne is familiar with, and which is well
adapted To his farm, until he has tested
the new variety first on an experimental
plot, and Is satisfied with It's merits and
Philadelphia Record.
ASHES AS A sTIMULANT.
Our Agricultural Department is doubt
less consulted by thousands Of readers.
who have never realized the fact that un-
leached wood ashes is the most valuable
substance which IS chiefly produced on a
large portion of our farms, and suffered
to go TO waste, when it might be utilized
TO great profit. For restoring sDant ana
sickly peach and other fruit trees there is
nothing superior. The surface of the
ground around the trees should be nal
lowed to a moderate depth, as far as the
limbs extend, and the ashes thiclIv or
frequently scattered over it, so thar tho
potash from them may be washed below
by recurring rains. BE very particular
that the large roots nearest the trDnl, arc
not neglected. Old, dead bark. DeeliuD
OF, should be assisted in the operation
by gently scraping. The lives of fruit
trees may be preserved for years bv
timely attention; whereas. if they are
neglected at the turn of life' we desig-
nate, these valuable adjuncts of the
money-making farm soon decay and die.
and change to ashes themselves. I'm
leached wood ashes, judiciousIy applied,
are advantageous to most crops, and no
farmer can afford to waste them. The
ashes of mineral Goals are not good fer
tlllzers, OF course, but clay lands are often
benefited by intermingling them with
the surface soil. They have a similar