Sal,
On both FFs, do a search using "1943" as a key.
There is enough bits/pieces of info about
this fig; and apart from it being good fig;
it also comes with some very interesting history.

Herman,
Thanks; and sorry for me jumping in...

I think it came back with a WWII veteran from Europe.

Here is a link that might be useful: Marseilles / Brown Turkey

Thanks Gorgi and demondmh. After quite a bit of reading and sometimes more than once I think I found what I was searching. Thanks Herman for introducing this variety also.
Hemans quote
From what is Known,this fig was one of the most important figs in Paul Stanes,collection at the reaserch station in Maryland,and it was well known to be very well adapted to the southern part of US.
Southern part of US That's Me
Sal

Giant 2007:Here is another reference about it being grown at Louisiana SU,reaserch plot.Google this,and you will find it was the most precocious in that collection.
So yes it was grown all over the south,but fruits were too small for comercial vendors,so it was neglected.
Also this Bulletin is very good in describing other varieties found in south,US,and describe Fig tree in General.
Louisiana_Bulletin_No_112_pdf

Sorry the file is gone,and I couldn't google it myself.
Email me and I will send it from my Documents to you if interested!

Here is a link to that 1908 agricultural report from LSU......a very interesting read for those of you who have not seen this very old research report. I had previously uploaded a PDF file of this report on the F4F forum.

Dan

Here is a link that might be useful: LSU's 1908 Fruit Orchard Report

Herman, is this the document you mention?

Here is a link that might be useful: Louisiana Bulletin No, 112, October, 1908

Yes demondmh,
This particular strain was originally brought from Europe
to USA by a Maryland (MD) WWII veteran in 1943.

Here is a description by two other famous fig experts:

ROBERT HOGG:
BLACK PROVENCE (Black Marseilles; Reculver; Noir de Provence). Â
Small or below medium size, oblong. Skin, dark brown. Flesh, red, tender,
very juicy, and richly flavoured. Tree bears abundantly, and is well adapted
for forcing.

Ira Condit:
Marseillaise Black (syns. Black Marseilles, Marseillaise Negra, Black Provence,
Ficus carica phoceana Risso, according to Sauvaigo). Described by Sawyer
(1824),
Hogg (1866), G. S. (1869), Sauvaigo (1889), Barron (1891), Eisen (1901), Starnes
(1903),
and Starnes and Monroe (1907, with illustration). The following account is
after that
of Eisen, which differs somewhat from the short one given by Hogg.
Figs medium, pyriform, with distinct neck; stalk long, about one-third the
length of the
fig; ribs distinct, especially on neck and body; eye medium, closed; scales
large, red;
skin waxy, with thin bloom; color black; pulp red. Quality good in Provence and
at Nice.

I still get a good chuckle when I re-read this 100 year old LSU report where the researchers boldly predicted that the fig naming confusion that existed way back then "would in time be eliminated". Also their reference to sterile fig "Mule" flowers was rather unique too.......

Dan

Yes Axier:This is an old document,Yet I find it very accurate in Explaining Fig tree,and production.
I think this document is very helpfull to people in the USA.
H2

Thanks for the info I saved this document as I find it contain good hard facts
Sal

To George:If you read the descriptions by many authors you will notice that they describe,it differently when it is about the exact shape of the fruits.
This is because this tree makes different shape and size of fruits depending where it is planted,and how much water is in the ground,and close to it.
It was fouling me in thinking I got 2 cultivars from the cutting and they were mixed up.
Why?
Because one tree was making oval fruits with very short neck and the other had fruits with very long neck,up to 2 inches long,and this was main crop on both.
Then the Following year all fruits were the same.
That is Why I understand now why people described,the fruits, it a little differently.
This is a pix from 2006,showing very long necks,wich is not the case every year??

Herman, you are right. This fig is a rather "moody" fig,
depending on the current yearly "environment". I have
3 specimens, and at least one them did produce figs
with a significant body (neck) change shape before.
I'll be keeping a closer look next year on this very good fig.

Thanks for agreeing with me,George.
The conclusion,is like that about this cultivar.
Have I found tastier cultivars compared to Marseilles vs black,in my fig trial???.
Answer is :Yes,at least a handfull.
Have I found more consistent producing,Relyable cultivars,of very good taste,to surpass Marseilles vs black,in producing a harvest here in cold,rainy, climates???
The answer is ,a big NO.
What we learn from,it:It is well adviced to have Marseilles vs black,as ,a sure producing,fig in the Garden,and continue to trial,other cultivars,as Col de Dame,Mission,Barnisotte,Violette de Bordeaux,wich will only get ripe excellent,figs when the Sommer are warm,and dry,yet we do not mind because we have a base to fall on.
H2

Marseille VS Black = insurance.

I like it.

C.J.

Herman, your pic says it all.
Jenia, very well said.