Man in fig orchard

Abstract

Figs first appeared as a horticultural crop in the 1900 census. The industry expanded until 1920, when it slumped, but by 1930 the fig census showed more than a million trees-ten times the number reported in 1900. Galveston and Brazoria were the top fig-producing counties from 1900 to 1930. Other counties producing large amounts were Harris, Matagorda, Jefferson, and Orange. Texas produced about a thousand tons of figs annually during the late 1940s, when the annual value was over $75,000. Most fig production occurred in the area south and southwest of Houston. The Magnolia fig was grown for canning and the Texas everbearing for the fresh market. Considerable commercial production took place in the Gulf Coast area, with emphasis on preserving. Total 1964 production from the 57,466 fig trees located on 2,805 farms was more than a million pounds. Production numbers for the 1990s were unavailable. (From the Handbook of Texas Online)