Hi everyone.
First time posting but I have been reading post for about a year.
I was wondering if anyone new the origin of Celeste and if at one time way back when state or the federal government played a part in its wide spread cultivation across the south.
Thanks in advance for your time and all that I have learned from your earlier post. I'm from Louisiana and really enjoy reading about the LSU figs.

What part of La are you from?

Welcome to the forum Jerry.  I've wondered the same thing about the Celeste fig.  Somehow it became the most popular fig in Louisiana.  I would guess that it was a good tasting, heavy producing fig that was good for making preserves that many folks depended on for food.

Welcome.

Great question!!  Where are you in Louisiana, great figgers down there.  Ask Brian (CAJUNB) about the Celeste

I live near Pine Prairie, Louisiana. Right in the center of the state. My mother has a Celeste in her yard that I know was a mature very tall tree seventy years ago. I have three trees from it and was just curious about how they were so wide spread. Seems like they might have been part of an ag. Program or something.

Is Pine Prairie still big on catching speeders going through town?

According to the owners of Belleclare nursery Malta Black is "the grand parent of Celeste".  However they provide no evidence to back up the statement.

LOL  Chapman.  Sounds like you've heard of the place!
They may have slowed down a little on the writing and
just started charging more for the tickets.

I don't know about the Black Malta.  I have googled the
subject several times in the passed year or two and
Have never seen a reference to origin.

http://tinyurl.com/CornellTheFig

On page 75

Thanks Harvey C
very interesting

Welcome Jerry, I am partial to the Celeste, I have a large one in the front of my house and it has great fruit..

Just a side note about figs in the south.  During prohibition 
and the depression widows and poor folks made moonshine from supplies 
furnished by well off folks or organized criminals.  Thats where
they got the sugar and jars to can figs.  A poor folks staple has
been established.