286 Farmers^ Miscellany. [April, 



tinguished for its fineness. The Merinos or fine wooled sheep, 

 pass the summer in the mountainous districts of Castile and 

 Arragon, and the winter in the plains of Andalusia and Estrama- 

 dura. They are driven this distance of nearly 700 miles in 40 

 days, in flocks of 10,000. The mesta or society, composed of 

 the owners of the sheep, has the right to drive them over the 

 land which lies on the route, and to feed them on the pasture 

 where the land is cultivated; the proprietors are obliged to leave 

 a space 250 feet in breadth for their pasturage. The whole num- 

 ber of sheep in Spain is about eighteen millions, more than half 

 of which migrate annually. 



PORTUGAL. 



Face of the Country. — This country has not so great a propor- 

 tion of mountains as Spain. There are two extensive plains, 

 that of Beira in the north, and that of Alemtijo in the south. 

 The coast is low in the north, but grows high and rocky towards 

 the south. In the wildness and grandeur of mountain scenery 

 Portugal is inferior to Spain, yet in general appearance it is 

 esteemed a more pleasant country. 



Climate. — The climate is more agreeable and healthy than in 

 most of Spain. The air of Lisbon is famed for its salubrity, and 

 that city is resorted to by invalids from different countries. The 

 heat of summer and cold of winter are tempered by the neigh- 

 boring ocean. At Lisbon there are commonly 200 days in the 

 year completely fair. The raining days are not more than 80. 

 When rain falls it is very violent. If October is rainy it is not 

 uncommon to see the fruit trees blossom anew in November. 



Soil. — Portugal is a fertile country ; the soil is light, and easily 

 cultivated. The mountains are mostly barren, but some of them 

 are covered with a fine vegetation. 



Agriculture. — Portugal though rich m natural productions, 

 wants the cultivation of industrious hands. The wealth of the 

 colonies and commerce withdrew the attention of the inhabitants 

 from agriculture, which has been for several centuries in a low 

 state. Excellent fruit is raised and exported in considerable 



