The herald., 1895-08-18
The Fig and Its Methods OF
Preparation
CARE AND SKILL NECESSARY
The Possibility Of Market for Meri.
torious Goods
Brad,treet's Remarks Concerning the Knights
Of Labor Boycott Against Notes Issued
by National Banks

A correspondent OF the Pacific Rural
Press. writing regarding the lack of sue
cess which has generally characterized
the efforts of the California fig growers,
says:
1.-The nearest approach to success that
have seen is the product of an orchard
grown on very deep, sandy loan, in an
interior county, where the heat of sum.
mer usually hovers between 30 and Ito
degrees. Moisture is fatal to the success
full curing of figs. Even an adjacent field
of alalfa. with its necessary frequent and
copious irrigations. has been found to
cause sufficient moisture in the air to
turn the fruit sour upon the tree before 1T
could be picked and cured. The fig tree
Is almost a continuous bearer during the
producing season, and figs in all stages Of
development grow upon the same tree.
Under the conditions above mentioned
only day or two sutfices to spoil the sue
cessive relays OF fully ripened fruit.
1.-The soil above referred to permits OF
very exact and careful irrigation IN what
ever quantity it may be desired, the less
the better. After irrigation it is easily
cultivated. 1t does not bake, and Il
the moisture suspended by capillary at
traction IN the deep, porous silt. where
the roots of the tree finds it, and at the
same time it gives cleaning surface
that reflects the full vigor of the sun. AS
] rode on horseback through u tnree-year-
old orchard grown on this soil the
branches were above my head, and had a
spread OF twelve feet at the top. The larg-
est OF the trees were seven inches IN di-
ameter foot above the roots, and, stand
ing without a symptom OF scale or any
disease. seemed personihcations OF thrift.
Tho branches were crowded with growing
fruit.
1.-THE product of this orchard has so far
been sold at Is cents a pound. dried, to
the wholesale grocers of Los Angeles.
Packed in fancy boxes, the figs resemble
the mported article wish thin, trans
parent skin and greater development of
sugar than is common in the California
fig. The variety is the White Adriatic,
which is very large and has the excellent
quality of drying upon the tree instead
vi falling to the ground when ripe.
'There are still other uses to which the
fig may be proii.ably put. 1t is well
adopted to crystal li:ing, but in this pro-
cess there are trade secrets not yet under
stood here. consequently the French crys-
tallzed fruit spills readily at 50 cents a
pound, while the California article goes
begging at half that price. Delicious mar
malades, preserves and sweet pickles may
be made fresh from the fully ripened fig.
These are especially fine when given a
homegrown flavor. The process of pick
ing and either drying or preserving this
fruit reqires great care. skill and delicacy
in handling. 1t should seem, therefore,
that women, If possessed of health, cour-
age and perseverance, might make sue
cess of this industry. The tree is hardy
and is not usually afflicted with the scale
or other pests. Only moderate capital
would be required for an orchard and the
market is wide one There is much
less risk than in growing oranges or
olives. The greatest uncertainty would
be in the cost of the finished product,
which might maze il too high priced but,
with the constantly increasing demand for
delicaccs of this sort. there ought to be a
satisfactory market for meritorious goods.