Fig Varieties: A Monograph - uri=ucce.ucdavis

462 Hilgardia
[Vol. 23, No. 11
Preston (syn. Preston Prolific). Described by Anon. (1949) as a promising seedling
fig, first fruited in 1943 at Preston, Victoria, Australia, by R. N. Jones. Figs are medium
to large, oblate, without neck; stalk very short; color bronze; pulp amber, tinged with
red. Satisfactory for jam.
Qeisi (syn. Mrari). Described by Grasovsky and Weitz (1932) as a Palestinian variety,
bearing poor crops of small, dark-purple figs, with long, thick stalk, short neck, and
light-red pulp; quality inferior.
Ramsey. Described by Gould (1923) and Close (1929) as a seedling fig, grown in 1908
by the nursery of F. T. Ramsey and Son, Austin, Texas, and introduced to the trade in
1915. The 1925 catalogue of the Austin Nursery stated that Ramsey is a seedling which
“resembles Magnolia, but does not crack open.” California tests of Ramsey, obtained
from various sources, lead to the conclusion that it is very similar to, if not identical
with, Brown Turkey of England and the southeastern United States. The Pacific Rural
Press, September 19, 1925, reported it as a “new seedless fig” of fine flavor, at Burbank,
California.
Recousse Noire. Described by Audibert Frères (1854), Hogg (1866), Du Breuil (1876),
and Eisen (1888, 1901, after Hogg). This variety was included in the Chiswick collection
as P.I. No. 18,881, and was grown at Niles and Chico; at the latter place, on
September 14, 1921, the crop was practically all on the ground, and the dried figs were
of a dirty-brown color. At Menlo Park, Recousse Noire proved to be a large, black fig,
disappointing in quality.
Fruits produced at Riverside, California since 1937 have furnished the data that
follow.
The tree has slender, somewhat drooping branches. The terminal buds are brown.
Breba crop none. Second-crop figs medium, pyriform, with short, thick neck; stalk
medium; ribs narrow, not prominent; eye medium, open; color purplish black, shading
to green on the neck; pulp strawberry; flavor rich. Quality good fresh, but dried figs
are not black in color. Variety discarded as not equal to Franciscana in quality.
According to Eisen, Recousse Violette is similar to Recousse Noire, but with deep-red
pulp.
Regina (syn. Reina). Described by Gallesio (1817), Gasparrini (1845, as Ficus
pachycarpa var. nobilis), Pasquale (1876), Roda (1881), and Tamaro (1948, with figure),
but apparently ignored by other authors. It was highly praised by Gallesio, who stated
that the markets in Rome were well supplied with its fruits in September.
Breba crop none. Second-crop figs large, pyriform; skin color light violet, with
delicate bloom; pulp pomegranate red; quality good.
Rei. Described by Bobone (1932) from specimens obtained in various districts of
Portugal. It is also known as Figo de Torres.
Brebas oblong-turbinate, 3-1/2 inches long by 2-1/2 inches in diameter; skin smooth,
glossy, checking; color green, spotted with violet; pulp carmine; flavor agreeable.
Second-crop figs medium, turbinate; skin rugose, checking at maturity; color
greenish violet; pulp light red, of fine texture; quality very good.