Beans, chick peas, vetches, lentils, &c., are also grown fairly commonly. 



Tobacco forms an important crop, the bulk of which is consumed locally, 

 but some of it is regularly exported. Since 1904 the area has declined from 

 30,370 acres to 16,036 acres in 1908. Exports have also declined propor- 

 tionately. 



Olive trees are met with almost everywhere, either by themselves or asso- 

 ciated with more or less stunted vines. The olive production varies between 

 25,000 and 50,000 tons, the bulk of which is consumed locally. Olive trees 

 are regularly and carefully pruned, and fairly well tilled. The fruit is har- 

 vested by threshing the branches with long, flexible willows, which causes 

 the berries to fall to the ground, where they are picked up. Contrary to the 

 usual practice in some other countries, the olive trees are grafted a considerable 

 distance above ground as much as 5ft. to 6ft. 



Both rice and cotton are successfully grown, although as yet only to a 

 limited degree. If cotton can be grown successfully in Greece, within sight 

 of perpetual snow, why not with us, unless indeed harvesting operations 

 are likely to prove too costly ? 



Finally, we have important areas under orchards, principally fig trees 

 and citrus trees ; and, to a lesser degree, stone and pip fruit. The Smyrna 

 figs have been grown here successfully, although the quality of the fruit 

 is not equal to that of Smyrna. It is said that much of the dried Greek 

 figs go to Austria, where they are roasted, ground, and disposed of as coffee. 



The quality of the oranges and lemons is unquestionably excellent superior, 

 it must be said, to our own. Other fruit I did not have an opportunity to 

 sample. Curiously enough, whilst olive trees and orange trees are generally 

 pruned, apricots, peaches, plums, apples, pears, &c., remain usually untouched. 



SHEEP AND CATTLE. 



Greece has a source of riches in its flocks and herds, full advantage of which 

 is perhaps not taken. For the most part Greece is a country of short, sweet 

 pastures, adapted mainly to sheep ; hence it is but rarely that large herds of 

 cattle are met with. The bulk of the country makes use of goat's milk for 

 alimentary purposes ; hence milch cows are not very much in evidence. There 

 do not appear to be any good local milch breeds ; and when good milch cows 

 are required they are imported from Switzerland, Odessa, Crimea, and Italy. 

 I had occasion to see some very fine specimens of Swiss cows on a private 

 farm in the neighborhood of Athens. Local cattle are kept mainly for breed- 

 ing working bullocks, upon which the bulk of farm work falls. They are 

 evidently very poor milkers, yielding barely enough milk for their calves. 

 Of draught horses there are practically none. One meets with small, under- 

 bred, ill-fed ponies which, in the matter of draught, are Jack of all trades. 



There are not many pigs in the country ; they were estimated for me at 

 about half a million. The native pig is in general conformation very little 



