The record-union., 1898-08-15

native fig growers Of the Mediterranean
follow practice which has been handed
down from generation to generation OF
bringing down from the mountains dur
ing the blossoming season branches OF
the wild Capri fig and tying them to
the cultivated fig trees. Further inves-
tigation showed that the flowers Of the
wild fig were filled with minute insects,
which, when brought in close proximity
to the cultivated variety, mingled freely
among the blossoms, wriggling and
twisting about and effectually pollen
izing the pistils Of the Smyrna fg
blossoms causing them to develop large
numbers of perfect seeds. This knowl-
edge suggested the transplanting OF the
Capri fig to America, but although the
trees grew and bore fruit the little In
sects did not come with them, and re-
sisted all attempts to transfer them
from their native wilds.
George c. Roebling Of Fresno,
California, has such abiding faith in
being able to transfer these little in
sects to America, that he has planted
grove of four thousand Smyrna fig
trees, which are now large and thrifty.
He has running directly through the
| Z
dred wild Capri fig trees and some in
teresting experiments have been lnstl-
tuted. showing. that all his Smyrna fig
trees need, to become profitable bear
ers. is proper cross fertilization with
the wild figs. DR.. Gustav Eisen, OF the
California Academy Of Science, con-
ceived the idea of experimenting in
cross-fertilization by hand, and accom-
plished this by means of toothpick.
transferring the pollen from the Wild
fig blossom to the Smyrna trees. Mr..
Roeding improved upon this by using
blow-pipe, blowing the pollen on to
pistils of the Smyrna blossoms. Great
interest was manifested in watching the
development OF the blossoms thus
treated, and considerable satisfaction
felt when it was seen that these bios
SONS did not drop, as did the remainder,
but that the fruit set and matured
showing a large number of perfect
seeds, due to the artificial fertilization
The figs were gathered and dried and
box packed and sent to the Depart
| ment of Agriculture at Washington
where they were turned over to the
entomologist, L. O. Howard.
| A box of the best Smyrna imported
| figs was purchased and the two com
pared, when it was found that the same
coveted flavor observed in the import
ed figs was present in Mr.. Roeding's
specimens, although with the imperfect
| artificial fertilization only about one
| half of the seeds had perfected
John Rock. of Nile, Cal, has success
| fully grated the Capri figs onto his
Smyrna fgs. feat heretofore cOnsid-
cred impossible, and other growers have
planted the wild fig back in the noun
| tains under similar conditions to those
| found in the Mediterranean countries
| ready for the reception of the insect. II
is thus apparent that all that is lack
| ing to make the Smyrna fig culture in
| this country a profitable industry, is
| the presence of this little insect, anC
| the Secretary of Agriculture promises
to use every means possible to cooper
ate with individuals in getting a col
ony of these insects started in Ameri-
can orchards. Mr.. Howard paid a visit
| last year to the Pacific Coast and found
subject. A special agent of the de-
partment, now in Europe, is making
| efforts in the desired direction. He
| will secure plants of the Capri fig in
tubs and send them over, tub, tree, bios.
| som and bug. In addition to this, at
tempts will be made from time to time
| in shipping brancehso f the wild fie
containing the blossoms and insects
and Mr.. Wilson hopes that they will ar
rive in such good form and find condi-
| tions SO favorable to their reception
that an American fig insect colony will
result.