ORANGES AND LEMONS IN SYRIA. 439 



recently been damaged by hail, and will doubtless, therefore, considera- 

 bly advance in price, are now selling at Jaffa at from $9.50 to $10 per 

 thousand; while lemons bring about half this price. During the month 

 of January last oranges were shipped at the rate of 5,000 boxes per 

 week. The fruit sent abroad is generally of the best, selected quality. 



HENRY GILLMAN, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Jerusalem, February JO, 1890. 



SYRIA. 



BEIRUT AND VICINITY. 



REPORT BY CONSUL BISSINGER. 



ORANGES. 



Varieties. Name of best variety for profit : Belady and Khutmaly. 

 Belady is of two species, rough and smooth. Names of other choice 

 varieties worthy of culture and for profit: Kose or Blood orange, 

 Shammooly, Bizry. 



Location. The trees that produce the varieties named above are 

 grown on the sea-coast, close to the sea ; but in some sheltered valleys 

 a few trees are also grown, the lower the better. Exposure to the sun 

 is necessary. 



Soil. Level alluvial land is the best. Ked earth somewhat sandy is 

 the best ; black loam. 



Climate. Temperature: Highest, 95 Fahr. ; lowest, 45 Fahr. ; aver 

 age, 70 Fahr. ; nights warm ; air without fogs or mist 5 some dew is 

 beneficial. 



Rain-fall. Average 32 inches. During rainy season fruit grows, but 

 not trees ; these latter grow in the fall and in spring. 



Irrigation. After the cessation of rain, according to dryness of soil 

 and generally about June 1. In black loamy soil and red earth mixed 

 with sand every six to eight days ; lighter soil every ten to fifteen days. 

 The earth in which the trees are embedded is filled with water. 



Cultivation. Plowing either before the beginning of irrigation or 

 after the first irrigation. 



Fertilizers. Goat manure, the best, applied either in the spring or 

 after first irrigation either at base of tree or mixed with the water. 



Pruning. Only the dead wood is cut off in spring and winter. 



Picking. Picking takes place from November 1 to May 1 ; the fruit 

 is picked for home consumption when ripe, for export before it is ripe. 



The oranges are rolled in paper and packed in boxes. 



Planting and propagating. The trees are planted 20 to 22 feet apart, 

 and are propagated either by seeding or budded. Bitter orange stock 13 

 156A -4 



