75 



varieties. For the last 10 or 12 years, however, these trees have been in a 

 very parlous condition. Indeed, what little I saw of them did not serve to 

 impress me much with their healthiness. It would appear that the leaves, 

 and even the fruit, are regularly attacked by some form of rust, which causes 

 them to wither away and fall to the ground, much to the detriment of the 

 tree. Apparently no remedy for the disease has yet been discovered. 



It would appear that Spanish orange-growers generally are beginning to 

 feel the stress of foreign competition in the markets of the world. At their 

 special request the Government has started on an inquiry into the actual 

 position of affairs. It seems that within recent years the Spanish orange 

 output has outrun what the markets of the world are prepared to take at 

 remunerative prices from the Spanish grower's point of view. The fol- 

 lowing figures will serve to show to what extent, within recent years, exports 

 have risen and average prices fallen. 



Exports of Spanish Oranges. 



Total Oranges Total Value per 



Year. Exported. Value. Ton. 



Tons. s. d. 



1896 215,303 1,514,815 709 



1900 260,226 1,444,444 5110 



1905 409,631 1,740,740 450 



1907 469,297 2,607,407 5110 



Great Britain absorbs a good bit over half the oranges and lemons exported 

 from Spain. Recent figures concerning these two lines are shown below. 



Imports into Great Britain of Spanish Oranges and Lemons. 



Tons. 



1906 235,320 



1907 270,097 



1908 256,689 



It would appear that the total area under oranges and other citrus fruits 

 in Spain is in excess of 100,000 acres. 



VlNEGROWING IN SPAIN. 



In Mr. McDougall's opinion vinegrowing in Spain is a very poor business 

 with the phylloxera to reckon with. He estimates the cost of establishing 

 a new vineyard on American stock at 16 an acre ; and with the low prices 

 at present obtaining in Spain he is inclined to look upon this initial outlay 

 as prohibitive. I was informed that the average price of common wine 

 varied between 3Jd. and 7d. a gallon. Table grapes are sold at the rate of 

 7d. to 9d. the arroba (about 25lbs.), which works out at 2 10s. to 3 3s. 3d. 

 a ton. 



It would appear that throughout Spain the vinegrowing industry has 

 fallen upon critical times, and the representative bodies of both growers 



