Lower coast gazette., 1909-04-10
would agree to take all that could be
procured Of them.

would agree to take all that could be
procured Of them.
Another indication of the value of
this essentially Texas product is evil
in the fact that the largest pre-
serving plant in the United States re-
Gently offered to Mr.. Bushway to
to place an order for 1000 gallons.
This, it was stated to be a trial order,
with the prospects Of more, but it was
more figs than was grown in all Texas,
and so it is evident that the market is
open for Texas figs for some years to
come.
The methods of preserving r not
essentially different from the methods
of the housewife. who puts up a few
for family consumption in her kitchen,
save that the preserves are boiled in a
steam jacket kettle, similar to those
for cooking starch in steam laundries.
This is to prevent the preserves from
scorching while cooking.
There are great possibilities in fig cul-
tivation in this section, and the land
seems peculiarly adapted tor the growth
of the tree. 1t is only necessary for
those who would plant figs to get on
the right road, to adopt the variety
that has been found IN demand else
where, to cultivate the trees as cult.
waited elsewhere and this is continual
cultivation with cultivator and harrow
throughout the growing season from
March to approximately the first of Aug
ust, to prune by the methods here de-
scrsbed. and success in fig culture is
assured, and there is a good income
awaiting the man with a fig orchard Of
from twenty-five to fifty acaes, pre-
viding always he is willing to work for
it. Fig raising is no get rich quick
scheme. The trees have to be attended
to, and everything has to be done in
season, and if this is done then the lucky
owner will have no cause for complaint
Tor his revenue.
There are few parasites or insects
that bother the fig tree; in fact, it is
doubtful if there is a fruit. bearing tree
in Texas that il more free, This is not
to say that the fig has no enemies, for
but every enemy of the fig is easy to
combat by methods that should be
known to every orchardist.
As has been said, there were many
fig trees that were planted in this Sec
ton last winter; there will be many
more planted this coming winter, and
even more anhoter winter. 1t will not
be long before there will be preserving
plants all through this section; in fact,
one is more than accessibility a tStowell
next year, as there is nearly acreage
that will enter their second year with
next spring to keep one busy through
the season. Beaumont cannot do bet.
ter than to continue to encourage the
culture of figs.
During a recent visit to Mr.. Bush
ways orchard he proposed that 4he fig
growers, real and prospective, of this
section, and in fact in all Texas, get
together and appoint some day this
month when they would visit his or
chard and he would show them by
actual demonstration his methods OF
cultivation and pruning and harvesting
as well. This would be a good oppor
tunity to learn at first hand the method:
and would also furnish occasion for thu
organization Of a fig growers sssocia
ton for Texas, to take its place witt
orher societies ann associations tina
are working for the agricultural ant
horticultural development of the state
Beaumont Enterprise.