YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Following the destruction of the vineyards in France by the phyl- 

 loxera, about 1880 to 1890, there developed in that country a heavy 

 demand for the dried currants of Greece for use in making wines, 

 brandies, etc. This resulted in high prices for the fruit and, conse- 

 quently, a very large increase in the acreage devoted to grape culture 

 in Greece. In fact, it is stated 1 that the desire to extend currant- 

 grape culture became so great in many instances that large orchards 

 of mature olive trees were sacrificed to this end, as well as many 

 mulberry trees that had been grown to furnish food for silkworms. 

 Thus, in some regions grape culture became the sole industry. 



The introduction into France of grape stocks from the United 

 States which were resistant to phylloxera and the rehabilitation of 

 the grape industry, followed by the imposing in 1896 of import taxes 

 which practically excluded the currant grapes of Greece from France, 

 caused a great crisis in this industry in Greece. Large regions were 

 dependent upon grape culture as a means of support. With the 

 French markets, which had previously taken great quantities of 

 currants, virtually closed, the production was far in excess of the 

 demand. 



At this juncture the Greek Parliament passed, in 1895, the " para- 

 kratesis" or "retention" act, the object of which was to so control 

 the output of currants each year as to prevent, so far as possible, over- 

 stocking the markets, and thus to maintain satisfactory prices. 



In its operation this law imposes upon every producer a tax of 15 

 per cent of the product which he exports, payable either in money or 

 by depositing in Government warehouses the required quantity of 

 currants. Thus, only 85 per cent of the crop of any one year, or its 

 equivalent in value so far as the producer is concerned, can be put 

 upon the market. The currants received by the Government must be 

 used for other purposes than those to which this commodity is 

 usually put. 



In connection with the passing of the " retention act " the matter 

 of establishing a "currant bank" of Greece was much agitated, the 

 object in view T being to provide a source from which every producer 

 who deposits a certain quantity of currants in a Government depot 

 or warehouse should be entitled to draw money from the bank, or 

 to hypothecate his crop. Such a bank, however, was not established 

 until 1899, when with the Government proceeds from the sale of 

 currants to distillers, etc., it was formed with a capital of 3,500,000 

 drachmas (about $675,500). 



The currant has long been the leading commodity of export from 

 Greece. The tax of 15 per cent of the crop exported forms one of 

 the principal sources of revenue for the Government ; at the same 



1 Horton, George. The Currant Trade of Greece. United States Consular Reports, vol. 

 50, pp. 243-245. 



