Benson's 1886 Illinois Guide to Fig Culture

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1king

Registered:1346808162
Posts: 60

Posted 1396639654	Reply with quote #1

That's right folks step right up step right up! http://www.slideshare.net/FalXda/heirloom02-17330138 Trees for just $1 each and advice on how to get rich growing figs in the north + much more! Check it out now for a free gift! __________________ ivan - coastal bc

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1396651596	Reply with quote #3

Wow, very cool, thanks for sharing! I'm sure $1 was a lot of money back then. He had a heck of a fig collection! __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1396651988	Reply with quote #4

I was struck by the beautiful and fanciful engravings and the swirling arabesques around the large alphabets. Reminds me of the beautiful and inventive engravings on old pistols, rifles, and the engravings that used to be on our country's once beautifully engraved, paper currency. Didn't know that money orders existed back then, and was surprised to recognize some of the same varietal names that are still with us. And those prices! The grower also provided references!!! Thanks for the interesting diversions. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1396654362	Reply with quote #5

Thanks for sharing this really great piece of history! I loved his descriptions of the figs he offered. He did sort of stretch his "Northern Figs Are Best" approach, but he was selling trees, so I give him a break! For that era, when bread was 5 cents, a tree for $1.00 was pretty much the same ratio as buying bread vs a 3 year old bearing fig tree. I will have to try them with cream as he suggested. I doubt there would be a need for sugar! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

PhilaGardener

Registered:1389014416
Posts: 199

Posted 1396657449	Reply with quote #6

If it were still April 1st, I might have sent in a few bucks! LOL Great resource, 1king - thanks for sharing that link! __________________ Philadelphia Gardener Near Philly, but winters still feeling like Zone 6!

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1396667898	Reply with quote #7

what? no snake oil? __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

milehighgirl

Registered:1382109709
Posts: 284

Posted 1396669761	Reply with quote #8

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. __________________ USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

musillid

Registered:1327758167
Posts: 1,507

Posted 1396786142	Reply with quote #10

Highly entertaining. __________________ Dale non compost mentis in Zone 6a

1king

Registered:1346808162
Posts: 60

Posted 1397057270	Reply with quote #11

Good to hear folks enjoyed this bit of fig history. I find it valuable to compare and contrast fig findings in order to more fully understand these complex fruits and their relationship to "terroir". I have gleaned so much from this site - it felt good to finally find a little scrap to return! __________________ ivan - coastal bc

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