ORANGES AND LEMONS IN SYRIA, 445 



SIDON. 



REPORT BY CONSUL BISSINGER, OF BEIRUT. 



Varieties. The oblong, thin-skinned, most delicate, but can not be 

 transported. The other variety is thick-skinned, with flat ends, more 

 hardy. 



Situation. On alluvial sea-coast plain of Syria, within a range of a 

 very lew miles, not more than 5 from the' sea, and at an elevation up to 

 200 feet. Constant sunshine, very few clouds, no fogs. 



Soil. Level, flat land ; sandy soil, the best and light earth. 



Climate. Even, no sudden changes. Dry and rainy season. Tem- 

 perature, 40 to 98 Falir. ; average, 69 Fahr. Nights warm. Air 

 without fogs or mist ; some dew is beneficial. 



Rain-fall. From 34 to 40 inches the ordinary range. Trees grow in 

 spring and put forth new shoots in fall if watered when thirsty. 



Irrigation. By channels of running water from river. Irrigation is 

 used when after spring rains the leaf shows a need. Different soils 

 require different periods of irrigation. From six to fifteen days ; when- 

 ever the soil is dry then the trees are irrigated ground flooded. 



Cultivation Plowed once a year. 



Fertilizers. T>est, application is to put goat manure into irrigating 

 water. 



Pruning. Varies; low trees preferred; less injury to fruit when it 

 falls; in fall dry wood is pruned. 



Picking. Cheap kinds are allowed to fall for home consumption. The 

 fruit is picked, for a near market, fully ripe; fora distance, while green. 



Packing. Wrapped in paper and put in wooden boxes. 



Planting and propagating. Branches touch and interlock; from 20 

 to 30 feet; some are propagated, some are seedlings, but the best 

 varieties are budded. 



Maturity. Differs according to land ; five to eight years they bear 

 well. 



Disease. Only a small scale like a freckle on fruit, which dries the 

 tree. 



Shipping, packing, and canning goes on during all seasons of the year. 

 Every week, wrapped in paper and boxed. 



SIDON. 



REPORT BY CONSULAR AGENT ARELA. 

 (Repnblished from Consular Report No. 41|.) 



Varieties. Oranges are distinguished by their shape and contour. 

 Belady, round, flat ends, very thick peel, hardy; ripens late. Shainouty, 

 long like an egg, thin-skinned; ripens early. Bisry, finest flavor; a 



