74 



and the balance, 16,729 tons, presumably in the pickling business. The 

 total amount of oil produced reached 36,337, 893galls., i.e., an average return 

 of 2-28galls. of oil for every hundredweight of olives. 



These figures serve to show how great a factor in the national wealth of 

 Spain is the olive oil industry. From inquiries I made on the subject it would 

 appear that within recent times the value of a gallon of oil on the Spanish 

 markets has varied between 3s. 3d. and 4s. 7d. If we adopt 4s. a gallon as 

 a fair average figure, the total olive oil crop would have been worth to the 

 nation, in 1907, about 14,752,452, and in 1908 about 7,267,579. 



I have already stated that I was "informed that lOcwts. of olives to the acre 

 would be looked upon as a good crop in Andalusia. This would represent 

 about 24galls. of oil to the acre, or a gross return to the grower of about 

 4 16s. an acre, which, in a country in which living is relatively cheap, would, 

 I presume, be looked upon as a very fair return. 



The great bulk of the oil produced appears to find a local outlet. Indeed, 

 Spaniards may be said to live upon it. I notice that in 1908 the exports of 

 olive oil are officially valued at 776,742 and in 1909 at 970,705 ; whilst 

 pickled olives were responsible for 225,704 in 1908 and for 274,259 in 1909. 



Thus, in 1909, out of total exports to the value of 34,299,185, the olive 

 industry of Spain was responsible for 1,244,964. 



Wages in this district appear to be very low. An ordinary agricultural 

 laborer receives two pesetas a day (about Is. 6d.) ; and, in addition, a few 

 of the necessaries of life, represented by oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and 

 tomatoes. Olive-pickers, on the other hand, receive only from 5d. to 7Jd. 

 a day, together with a little firewood to remind them that they are alive. 



SEVILLE AND ITS ORANGES. 



We tarried at Seville from the 19th to the 23rd of October. Had I the 

 leisure, there were much to be written, and to good purpose, of this semi- 

 Moorish city, resting on the banks of the broad Guadal quiver. Here we 

 may see the Alcazar, that ancient palace of the Moorish kings, and its beautiful 

 gardens ; the wonderful cathedral, awe-inspiring in its size, and enriched by 

 many an art treasure ; the Museo Provincial, with its priceless collection of 

 Murillos ; the House of Pilate ; the beautiful palm-sheltered squares ; the 

 quaint Moorish houses, &c. All matters, however, having not the remotest 

 connection with things agricultural. I turn aside from them, therefore, 

 with regret. 



The British Consul (Mr. A. L. Keyser), who received me very courteously, 

 supplied me with an introduction to a Scotch resident of Seville, Mr. McDougall 

 by name, who was good enough to give me some information on agricultural 

 matters. The staple produce of the countryside appears to be represented 

 by oil, wine, and oranges. According to Mr. McDougall, in the neighborhood 

 of Seville, bitter oranges are grown almost to the exclusion of any other 



