The existing confusion regarding the names of the varieties of the fig
is largely due to incomplete descriptions. The following points are of
importance in every fig description, and should always be noted: Size,
form, neck, stalk, ribs, eye, color of skin, color of pulp, seeds,
quality, growth, and leaf. In order to simplify descriptions, these
points should always be mentioned in the same order. It is also of great
importance to note whether the first crop alone matures fruit, and
whether the two crops differ materially in any of the above-mentioned
points.
Of the 400 or more described varieties of figs, comparatively few have
been tested in the United States. Most of those tested are French or
hot-house varieties, very few southern or Mediterranean figs having been
introduced, though many of the latter are worthy of testing in this
country.
A few of the varieties that have been found most useful in California
are described:
ADRIATIC.—Size medium, roundish; neck medium, stalk short; ribs obscure;
eye open, with red iris; skin very thin, greenish in the shade,
yellowish in the sun; pulp bright strawberry red or with violet streaks
in the meat; varies in quality according to location.
This has been found very useful in California, but is not of fine flavor
when dried. It requires rich soil, with considerable moisture and a very
large percentage of lime. This variety is _not_ identical with that
known in Italy as Adriatic.
ANGELIQUE (syn. _Angelica_).—Medium, pyriform; ribs prominent, yellowish
white; pulp white with rose-colored center; leaves five-lobed. A very
good variety in some of the coast valleys.
ATHENES (syn. _Marseillaise_).—Small, roundish or turbinate, with
indistinct ribs, depressed at apex, skin rough; color whitish yellow,
pulp red, opaline; very sweet and one of the best drying figs both in
France and California.
BOURJASSOTTE, BLACK (syn. _Barnissotte, Black_).—Medium, broader than
long, flattened at apex, with no neck and an uneven cheek; ribs
distinct, even; eye small, sunk, closed; skin waxy, black with violet
blush; bloom clear blue, wanting at apex; meat pink, pulp blood-red. A
most excellent fig for table. It requires rich, moist soil.
BOURJASSOTTE, WHITE (syn. _Barnissotte, White_).—A fig related to the
former, but larger; eye large, sunk; skin waxy, green; pulp bright red.
A very fine fig. Tree very large.
BROWN TURKEY.—Large, turbinate, pyriform, with hardly distinct neck;
stalk short; apex flattened; ribs few, slightly elevated; eye medium,
slightly open, scales large; skin smooth, greenish to violet-brown in
sun, with darker ribs; pulp dark, rosy red, quality good, and tree a
good bearer. Brunswick is frequently confounded with this fig.
BRUNSWICK.—Very large, pyriform, with swollen cheeks, one of which is
larger than the other; apex very obtuse; neck and stalk very short; ribs
distinct, but not much elevated; eye medium, open; skin pale amber with
violet tint; pulp amber. An early, large fig, but with no flavor. Very
common; requires rich, moist soil.
CELESTE, BLUE (syn. _Violette_).—Small, ovate, turbinate; ribs few, but
distinct, especially near apex; eye raised, rough; color dark, violet
amber, without reddish blush; bloom confined to the neck; skin thin;
pulp deep rose; meat amber; sweet, but lacking in flavor.
DOTTATO.—Medium ovate, pyriform; neck well set; stalk very short or
none; ribs low; skin smooth; eye medium; skin thin, yellowish green;
meat white; pulp yellowish amber, sometimes with violet flush. One of
the best figs for drying; tree a strong grower, requiring moist, rich
soil. Lately introduced into California.
DRAP D’OR.—Large, pyriform, with very low neck and stalk; ribs elevated;
apex obtuse and concave; color light, violet, reddish amber, not dark;
pulp rosy red. A fig of very fine quality, especially useful for
confections and crystallizing; not identical with Brunswick.
DU ROI.—Above medium; round, pyriform; stalk very short; eye large or
variable, with scales standing out; skin smooth, pale bluish green; pulp
amber, with rosy streaks and exceedingly minute seeds. Related to
Marseillaise and Athenes, and one of the very best figs in California
for drying.
EARLY VIOLET.—Small to very small, round, turbinate; neck distinct but
short; stalk medium to long; ribs distinct, elevated, skin rough;
violet-brown, with thin, pearl-colored bloom; pulp red. This variety
bears almost continuously and is preferable to the Ischias and Celeste.
GENOA, WHITE.—Above medium, pyriform; neck small; stalk short; ribs
indistinct; skin downy; eye very small; skin pale olive-green; pulp pale
rose. One of the better figs, quite distinct from Marseillaise.
GENTILE.—Very large; ovate pyriform; neck short but distinct; stalk very
short; skin uneven, with ridges; eye very large, open, with projecting
scales; color greenish yellow spotted with white; pulp amber, streaked
with rose; seeds few but very large. Only the first crop of this variety
ripens. It is of the San Pedro tribe. One of the best early figs.
GROSSE GRISE BIFÈRE.—Medium, ovate pyriform; neck very short, stalk
short; ribs distinct; eye small; skin downy, dark violet amber, pale
olive in shade; the bloom is separated by a distinct line from the apex;
pulp deep red. A tender, good fig.
ISCHIA, BLACK.—Small; neck short; stalk medium; skin smooth; color dark,
violet black, greenish around the apex; neck dark; eye medium, open;
bloom thin, dark blue; pulp red. Of fair quality but small size.
ISCHIA, WHITE.—Size below medium, round, with small neck; stalk very
short; eye open; skin smooth, bluish green with brown flush; pulp rosy
red. Common in California, but hardly worthy of cultivation in that
State.
MAGDALEN.—Below medium; round; ribs distinct, rough, disappearing around
the eye; stalk longer than the fig; eye open, large; skin greenish
yellow; pulp amber white. A very delicious fig, superior to the Ischias
and Celeste; not synonymous with Angelique.
MARSEILLAISE, LONG.—Large, longer than wide; skin thick with brownish
shade; pulp dull red. Requires moist soils. A fair fig which dries well;
not related to either Black or White Marseillaise.
MARSEILLAISE, WHITE.—Medium ovate, pyriform; neck short; stalk medium;
ribs numerous and distinct; apex flattened; eye large, open; skin downy,
pale yellowish green, mottled with white; pulp amber, with a few large
seeds. One of the best figs for drying. Requires sandy, rich soil.
MISSION, BLACK.—Medium to large, turbinate; neck long; stalk short; ribs
distinct; eye prominent, open; skin rough, deep mahogany violet, with a
red flush; pulp not fine, red, but not bright or brownish amber; sweet
but not high-flavored; common in the Southern States, California, and
Mexico. The oldest fig in this country.
MONACO BIANCO (syn. _White Monaco_).—Large, rounded, turbinate,
flattened; neck small but very distinct; ribs numerous; eye very open;
skin dark, bluish green with thin bloom; pulp dark-red rose; a most
excellent fig for table; one of the best in California.
PASTILIÈRE.—Large, 3 inches by 1½; elongated, pyriform with long neck;
stalk short; eye closed, surrounded by an elevated iris; skin rough,
hairy, with blue bloom; pulp red. Fine for preserves.
RONDE NOIRE.—Large, round, but irregular; neck distinct, short; eye
small; skin smooth, waxy, dark violet brown; pulp amber. Greatly to be
recommended as a table fig. It is not related to Black Ischia or Osborn
Prolific.
SAN PEDRO, BLACK.—Very large, elongated ovate, with no stalk, but with
well set neck; skin smooth, violet black with green neck; pulp red,
coppery, tinted violet. For table use. The largest fig known. It is not
related to the following variety:
SAN PEDRO, WHITE (syn. _Brebas_).—Very large, round, flattened at apex;
stalk and neck short; eye open; skin thick, tender, of a bright yellow
color or greenish in the shade, without bloom; pulp amber. A remarkable
and handsome fig. Only the first crop matures without caprification.
Suited only for table use. Requires moist, rich soil.
VERDAL, ROUND.—Below medium, round pyriform, without stalk or neck; skin
smooth, waxy, bluish green; eye closed; pulp dark, blood red. A small
fig, but valuable for canning and preserves; better than the Ischias or
Celeste. It does well in the Santa Clara Valley, but is inferior in the
interior of the State.