Fig Varieties: A Monograph - uri=ucce.ucdavis

February, 1955] Condit: Fig Varieties
407
Grasovsky and Weitz (1932), and by Woodroof and Bailey (1931). See account and
color plate of Adriatic by Lelong (1890) and by Taylor (1898); trees are figured by
Condit (1933).
In 1727, Richard Bradley reported that he had introduced the Verdone fig into
England from Italy. Almost a hundred years later, Gallesio published a good account of
this variety, then extensively grown in the vicinity of Rome. Gasparrini briefly
described it, giving credit to Gallesio for his earlier account; but other Italian writers
apparently ignore it. Verde Gentil, described by Tamaro (1948) may be the same
variety. The name Verdone (“greenfinch”) was given on account of the green color of
the skin. With the exception of Audibert Frères, who called it Grosse Verte, French
authors omit reference to this variety. The origin and significance of the name Nebian,
used by Hogg, have not been determined. Bunyard stated that Nebian is much grown
in California for drying, under the name Adriatic. Davis, also Burger and De Wet,
report that in South Africa the White Adriatic is a very consistent bearer of figs, good
for jam and for drying. Grasovsky and Weitz state that it produces good crops of highquality
fruit in Palestine. Barron (1868a) described Grosse Verte as “one of the largest,
handsomest, and richest-flavored varieties in cultivation—well suited for pot culture.”
Starnes found White Adriatic an excellent variety in Georgia.
The following notes on the Verdone (White Adriatic) in California are taken from the
account by Eisen (1901, p.70). The first importation was made by W. B. West from an
English nursery, via Panama, in 1865. Later, Dr. Sposati, of Stockton, is said to have
received the same variety from his native home in Italy under the name Fico di Fragola,
or “strawberry fig.” G. N. Milco found ten-year-old trees growing on the Captain Gray
ranch at Atwater, recognized their value, and labeled them “Adriatic” as stated by Milco
(1885). Milco “did much toward making the variety known, but also much toward
keeping the growers in the dark as regards its true nature. Since 1884 the variety has
been extensively cultivated in California and distributed to many of the southern states,
especially Florida. It is a fine variety in some localities, but in others worthless.” See
also discussion by Milco and others (1887), on varieties.
The Chiswick collection from England included Nebian as P.I. No. 18,863 and Grosse
Verte as P.I. No. 18,876. These two proved to be identical in the plantings at Niles and
Chico. At the California Experiment Stations, from 1893 to 1901, trees of the Verdone
(Adriatic) grew vigorously, but at Tulare they were very susceptible to frost damage,
and the second-crop figs soured badly. (See report of Forrer, 1894.) However,
commercial plantings, made in both the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, proved
the adaptability of the variety to climatic and soil conditions, and for several decades it
was the largest producer of dried figs in California. The bearing acreage of Verdone
trees in 1953 was 6,921, and in 1952-1953 there were 7,699 tons of dried figs shipped to
the trade. In comparison, the Sari Lop (Calimyrna) acreage was 10,267, and 9,505 tons
were marketed as dried fruit.
Trees of the Verdone planted in dooryards are not so satisfactory for production of
figs for home use as are certain other kinds, on account of the lack of a first crop and
the susceptibility of the fruit to spoilage. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, however, good