14 



whom I was brought in contact appear conscious of some flaw in their 

 armor. The complete absence of that vaunting and cocksuredness which 

 we are apt to consider the natural attributes of southern Europe must agree- 

 ably impress the casual visitor. Much of this no doubt is the wholesome fruit 

 of prevailing financial depression, for the existence of which Greece alone can 

 hardly be held responsible. In Greece one sees no evidence of that prosperity 

 so characteristic of Egypt, but much humble recognition of failure, which 

 assuredly augurs well for the future. The Greeks and their deeds are too 

 frequently decried by those who overlook the short period of years that 

 separates them from six centuries of servitude and stagnation. Rather 

 should they be praised for what they have been able to accomplish in so short 

 a period of time, heavily handicapped by racial degeneration. 



The present population of Greece is said to be 2,632,000, or about 107-3 

 to the square mile. The total imports in 1908 were represented by 6,105,415, 

 or about 2 6s. 5d. per head of population ; and the total exports by 

 4,369,773, or about 1 13s. 4d. per head of population. Great Britain is 

 by far the best customer of Greece, and also heads the list of countries from 

 which commodities are imported. Next in order of purchasing countries 

 come Austria, America, Germany, Holland, &c., whilst after Great Britain 

 the bulk of the imports are derived, in order of importance, from Russia, 

 Austria, Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria, &c. 



One must note with surprise that in a country devoid of large manufactur- 

 ing and mining interests, and which must therefore be dependent on what 

 the soil can be made to produce, the bulk of the imports should be classed 

 under the heading of " Agricultural Products," which in 1907 were valued 

 at 1,902,604 out of 5,962,700. 



Similarly under " Live Stock " we find in 1907 51,478 worth of large 

 cattle imported ; and in a country the hills and short pasture of which are 

 pre-eminently suited to sheep and goats as much as 56,145 worth of the 

 latter are imported. Additionally 2,698 worth of pigs, and even 5,278 

 worth of poultry are brought from foreign countries. 



It is not easy in the course of a few weeks' visit to form a correct estimate 

 of the agricultural resources of a country that has not yet realised the impor- 

 tance of the systematic collection of agricultural statistics. The position 

 will be more readily understood when it is stated that the absence of any 

 general survey of the country has hitherto prevented the imposing of a land 

 tax, and that in consequence the Greek farmer is not taxed in proportion 

 to the land he may possess, but in proportion to the number of ploughing 

 oxen he is able to keep a truly primitive expedient, establishing a premium 

 on poor, indifferent tillage. The facts I have been able to collect on the sub- 

 ject I owe very largely to a perusal of consular reports, kindly placed at 

 my disposal by His Excellency the British Plenipotentiary (Sir Francis 

 Elliott) and to verbal information supplied me by Mr. Chassiolti (Director 



