FIG FERTILIZATION BY INSECTS. It was known to the ancients, according to Pliny and others, that the cultivation of certain varieties of figs was dependent for fertilization (technically termed caprification) upon the friendly aid of a minute hymenopterous insect termed the fig-wasp (Blastophaga grossorum). Beginning about 1890 numerous attempts were made to introduce the Smyrna and caprifigs in fig-growing sections of America. Recog nizing our inability to fertilize the female varieties which were introduced, experiments were made with mechanical pollination the fol lowing year on the Smyrna fig by Dr. Gustav Eisen. Attempts were then made to introduce the Blastophaga, but without success, until the United States Department of Agriculture suc ceeded in establishing the insect in 1899 in the fig orchard of Geo. C. Reeding, at Fresno, Cal. The principle of the fertilization is that the Blastophaga in its native home in the Mediter ranean region breeds naturally in the wild or caprifig. The Smyrna fig does not mature fruit unless the flowers are cross-pollinated by hand methods or through the agency of the Blastophaga, which carries pollen from the male caprifig to the female Smyrna fig, hence both the caprifig and the Blastophaga are necessary in order that the commercial fig bear edible fruit. The results of the introduction of this
fig-fertilizing insects have exceeded the most sanguine expectations In 1900 a large crop of Smyrna figs were raised, dried and placed on the market and tests made by experts showed that California figs fully equal the im ported product and that they contain a larger percentage of sugar, a superior flavor and are cleaner and more attractive in appearance. With this introduction a new horticultural in dustry of great future value to the country has been established. Over 10,000.000 pounds of figs are produced annually in California. The United States Department of Agriculture has published much information on this subject, two important papers being Howard's 'Fig culture in the United States' (1900); and Eisen's, 'The Fig, Its History, Culture and Curing' (1901). Consult also Bailey, 'Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture' (New York 1914); Van Velzer, 'Fig Culture) (Houston, Tex., 1909); °The Fig" (California Board of Horti culture, Sacramento 1890).