The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-04-27
(Contiaued from tst pdgc.)

these seeds are filled with albuminous
matter Of strong aromatic haVor.
No one mistakes the taste of the
Smyrna fig, and this taste, so accept
able to all, is derived solely from
the seed. Until, therefore, we can
produce fig containing fruits or
seeds filed with like albuminous
matter, we cannot hope to equal the
Smyrna fig. 1 believe it possible to
produce such fig.
Mr.. Mastin early in 1886 procur-
ed box of "Imperial' Smyrna figs.
He says: "The seeds of these figs l
sowed in a hot house. Fully month
elapsed before there was a sign of
growth. Later in the spring, the
young trees were transplanted to q
nursery, and planted in rows 2 feet
apart and 8 inches apart in the rows,
and Immediately GOV cred with straw
to shield them from the sun. They
received no irrigation. In the spring
of 1887 they were set out in the or
chard 25 fee, apart in triangular
form. They were allowed to grow
as many branches and trunks as
came, for the purpose of inducing
extensive root growth. In the spring
of 1888 they were cut down close to
the ground, and of the sprouts which
came, one, the strongest, was select
ed and the others removed. These
trees bore fruit this year (1S90)
upon the wood growth of 1889: they
we're about the size of a pigeons egg,
a lively yellow, the flesh amber and
containing only a few small seeds. :"
(No further data concerning Mr..
Mastin's experiment is available at
presently.
"Fig culture, confidently be-
lieve,' says Mr.. Mastin, twill in
five years rank in Importance with
that of the raisin, prune or grape. l
do believe that California in the flu
ture will excel Smyrna in tie fig pro-
duct, because we have soil and cli-
mate and everything else favorable. "
1t is yet to be determined which is
the best section of California State
for the culture of the fig. 1t is said
by experts that the climate and foot
hills of the Sierra Nevada are identi-
cal with the Smyrna district. The fruit
of the foothills especially Of Placer
County has proved superior to that
of the valleys.
In Florida the experiment has been
made Of shipping fresh figs to north
ern markets with eminent success.
They are sent in refrigerator cars,
carefully packed in quart boxes, and
having been picked just before matu'
rity they ripen in transit, and ar
rive in perfect order, bringing 80
to 40 cents quart. There are many
sections of Florida that are adapted
by both soil and climate to the fig
and its culture is growing indus
try.
The U. S. Consul at Smyrna in his
report on the fig furnishes the follow
ing data:
SITUATIoN.-The trees are grown
in the Ardin district 80 to 100 miles
distant from the sea, and $50 to SOC
feet above sea level. Much expo
sure to sun is required. The tree
thrives in all descriptions of land,
provided they be protected against
the north wind.
SoIL.-Rich black vegetable mold
is the best.
TEMPERATURE.-At temperate eli.
mate is the main thing: minimum
40S maximum 1l0o average 80 f
RAINFALL. Yearly average "a in,
ches. Rain during winter strength
ems the trees; during summer it in
jures the crop.
IRRIGATION. Good fig orchard:
are never irrigated; newly planted
young trees need watering during
the first two years of their growth.
CULrIvATIoN.-Fig orchards are
plowed A or 5 times year begin
ming from November. Manure il
only used when the soil is poor.
PRUNING. When the trees grow
old they need pruning during win
ter.
PICKING AND CURING. When per
fectly ripe the fruit falls by itsel
and it is then spread in the sun. Ir
the packing houses they are sorted
fattened out and put in boxes fol-
shipment. No chemical solution i.
employed, the packers wet theil
hands with plain sea water which
hastens the sugaring of the figs.
The export from Smyrna is abou,
1000 tons, worth al the port of ship.
ment about 50, 900, 900, and it is the
most important industry Of the PEG.
pie. The export is principally to
Germany, England, the United States
and France.
A review of U. S. Consular reports
from various countries concerning
the fig ehcits the following as the re-
quisite conditions for its successful
culture: They will grow anywhere
from sea level to an altitude of 250(
feet where the temperature does moi
fall below 500 F., and has a mean
average of about rs or 500. Hilly
rolling land somewhat back from the
coast with sunny exposure is the best
and a dry calcareous soil where the