The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-05-22
SMYRNA FIGS A
POSSIBLE
CROP

A new industry for the Islands may
result from efforts now being made by
the Division of Entomology of the
Board of Agriculture and Forestry
This is the growing of Smyrna figs.
Figs grow well here in Hawaii. But
Smyrna figs, the standard of the mar
ket, the only fig that is widely market
able except as fresh fruit, cannot be
grown without the interpositiOn of a
wasp, the Blastophaga grOssorum. Cali
fornia spent thousands of dollars and
many years of effort before this benef-
cent insect was successfully introduced
into that State Now the Smyrna fig
crop of California is worth thousands
and thousands of dollars a year, and is
rapidly growing. 1t is believed that
climatic and other conditions here are
favorable, and only the Blastophaga is
lacking.
Assistant Entomologist Jacob Kotin-
sky, at the meeting of the Board of
Agriculture and Forestry yesterday,
gave an account of the efforts so far
made to bring this wasp in. A colony
of them was received on the Korea,
sent here to the Division of Entomology
by Dr. Roeding of the Fancher Creek
N-,,--,-,a. ToI;fornio CopoarpipO +biS
insect and its relation to the growing
of Smyrna figs, and the action taken
on receipt of this colony, Mr.. Kotinsky
said:
"As the commissioners are doubtless
informed, this insect is essential for
the production of perfect Smyrna figs.
The fruit of the Smyrna fig contains
female flowers only, and unless the ma
jority of these is fortified the fig lacks
the characteristic nutty flavor of the
Smyrna fig formerly produced only in
that country, now also in California
The male flowers are borne on separate
trees, known as Capri figs, and the
pollen from these is transported to the
Smyrna fig by the Blastophaga. Thii
insect in its native home, as well as IN
California now, breeds normally within
the figs produced by the Capri fig, OF
male tree. In the spring, or about the
time the Smyrna fig has attained Ger
tain stage of development, large mum
bers of impregnated females issue from
the Over-wintering fruit, called Mamme
on the Capri fig trees, their bodies more
or less smeared with pollen, and enter
the Smyrna figs. While within the
fruit searching for a place to owl
post, they fertilize large number OF
the female flowers, which results in the
production of a large number of seeds
thus giving the Smyrna fig its very
much relished flavor.
cdr. Roeding sent us six Mamme
figs infested with Blastophaga and
wrapped in tissue paper. This paper
when unwrapped, in the majority of
eases, contained a large number of dead
Blastophaga of both sexes; one of the
figs was badly nodded Time did not
permit to ascertain whether any of the
insects were living, and not wishing to
take chances, they were Immediately
placed where they had the best avail
able opportunity for propagation. Some
three years ago the Moanalua Gardens
imported, at the suggestion of this of
fee, fig trees of both kinds from DR..
Roeding's nurseries. When the insects
were taken there on the 10th, fruit was
found on both kinds of trees. 1t was
rather scarce on the Capri figs, and
what seemed to be the Profchi crop
(spring crop was about reaching ma
turity- The letter of instructions that
accompanied these insects reached us
the following day, and it was gratifying
to note that the instructions therein
given correspondent almost exactly with
what had already been done with the
insects. Ny connection with the Federal
Bureau Of Entomology at the time the
insect was introduced into California
and the little work that I did there in
connection with it stood me in good
stead in the present introduction. Dr.,
Roeding was written to and thanked
heartily for the shipment, and in ac-
eordanee with the encouragement in his
letter another colony was asked for. -
1t is not known for certain what sue
cess has attended this importation of
BlastOphaga- 1t is feared, however,
that it has not proved a success,
though with experience no doubt is felt
but that this wonderful wasp may be
brought here to make possible the pro-
dC1tion of Smyrna figs.
CAPTAIN CARTER JOINS FLEET.