Sources for Figgy Thinking about Figs

This figgy brain is investigating sources I can access for my topic figs. Looking for information is like waiting for a fig to ripen. Figs ripen suddenly so when they are green and hard, the flesh is bitter and the ripening seems far off or impossible. However, checking each day...each day..each day..and one day suddenly, the color has changed and the flesh has softened. Ripening is now in sight! Within a couple days, they are ready to eat. Another couple days and they turn super sweet before falling off the tree and rotting.

That's the same with research. The search for information can seem far away, in fact, where is it? The suddenly a lead, or a set of keywords, or just the right person shows up, and there's a break-through! After that the research gets fast and information that once seems obscure becomes obvious.

These stepping stones look like figs
in puddles of water, no?

To start the research process in earnest, brainstorm some sources as the beginning stepping stones. 



Using a quick online search, I found some sources that may help initially. A quick phone call or email might get a couple leads for additional questions.

Primary Sources: 
Alson H. Smith Jr. Research and Extension Center, 595 Laurel Grove Road. Winchester, Virginia
540-869-2560 
Dudley Rinker, Rinker Orchards, 1156 Marlboro Road, Stephens City, Virginia 22655

540-869-1499

Secondary Sources: 

Locating newspaper articles about selling figs in Virginia may help. A good place to start may be newspaper archives. OH my! Library of Congress has an article from the Richmond Dispatch (Aug. 20, 1911) about big money in Mediterranean fruits such as figs and dates being grown in the US. That may warrant more investigation. 

Tertiary Source:

Since figs are plants, a plant catalog specializing in fruit trees would be helpful: Stark Bros. looks promising. It lists several kinds of fig trees for sale. However, since I already have fig trees, maybe I can propagate from what I have? A quick search gets some information from the Alabama Cooperative Extension about how to propagate fig trees which includes a list of other resources.

So, WOW!...a solid start! Ask some questions and start nibbling on some figgy information!