The times., 1899-06-26
AMERICAN FIG CULTURE.
Naturalization of the BiastophaEa In
California.

california;.
Something more than a year ago the
United States Department OF Agriculture.
convinced that the fruiting of the Smyrna
fig In California and the consequent pro-
duetion in that State OF fig which should
equal the standard ag OF commerce was
dependent upon the introduction from
south Europe and the establishment in Cal
ifornia OF little insect which in Medi-
terranean countries fertilizes tne Smyrna
hg, began series OF experimental intro
ductions of the insect. The question had
been studied for some time by DIR. Eisen. OF
the California Academy OF Sciences, by Mr.
George C. Roeding of Fresno. Cal. and
Mr.. John Rock. of Niles. Cal. At FFes-o
and Niles numbers of Smyrna figs. as well
rs wild figs from south Europe. in which
the fertilizing insect, known as Blasto-
phaga, develops. had also been started.
Dr. Howard, the entomologist Of the De-
partmert OF Agriculture. went to Califor-
MIA IN the spring OF tSas to look over the
ground in California to ascertain the con-
ditions, and to settle on the best POINTS at
which to attempt the introduction of the
European insect. Another agent OF tie
department. Mr. Walter 7. Swing e. was
sent to south Europe partly for the pur-
pose OF sending to this country cuttings o.
all varieties of wild figs which could be
found, and TO send over living specimens
OF the Blastophaga.
1t was thought worth while to send TO
this country the fruit OF the Wild fig. or
the Capri fig, as il is called. containing
the living insects. and this was done on
a number of occasions by Mr.. Swingle.
4 Capri fig tree was enclosed at Mr.. Roed-
ing's place at Fresno. and. on the arrival
| OF the European figs. the insects which
were found to be in good condition were
/ liberated within the enclosure The liv-
ing insects had previously been obtained
by correspondence by Mr.. James Shinn. of
Niles, and by Mr.. Roeding but the in-
sects had died before reproducing. Mr.
Swingle adopted new method OF packing
for transportation. each fg being care
fully wrapped in tin foil and sealed with
wax. The first specimens were received
at Fresno in the early part of May. 1898.
but. so far as could be observed none of
| them had laid eggs either from this or
subsequent sendings. All through the in
tervening year wild fig cuttings have been
received and started under varying condi-
tfons. II was realized that the attempts
thus far described we're very probIemati-
cal in their results. and that the chances
OF success were small. II was planned
therefore. to transplant Capri fig trees
into large tubs and carry them across the
Atlantic in growing condition with their
iAuil anu tue contained insects. and one
rather large tree has been sent over the
present spring by Mr.. SwingIe
1t now turns out. however. that BY great
good fortune some of the insects brought
over in 1888 did succeed in penetrating
the closed flowers Of the Capri figs growing
at Fresno, and that they laid their eggs
and have practically established them
selves in California. The first step Of the
| experimental work is. therefore. a sue
cess Since the insect has maintained
itself for an entire year there is reason
to suppose that it will continue TO breed.
and that California in the near future Will
be able TO place a fig upon the market
which will possess the same superior flavor
as that which has given the imported
Smyrna figs their pre-eminent commercial
rank This favor seems without doubt to
/ be dependent upon the number of ripened
seeds within the fruit. This fact has been
ascertained through experiments in the
artificial fertilization of Smyrna figs
grown in California Experiments were
made by DR.. Eissn and Mr.. Roeding. both
with the transfer of pollen from Capri figs
by means of toothpiek and by means Of
blowpipe- In this way a large number
OF seeds we're fertilized. probably half as
many as are fertilized by the work of the
Blastophaga in Asia Minor. but already the
characteristic flavor Of the European figs
was noticed.