ORANGES AND LEMONS IN SYRIA. 447 



is from 1 to 3 cents each. These trees come generally to their full beat- 

 ing after the fifth year of their plantation, which is first effected in seeds 

 and replanted the next year at a distance of from 13 to 10 feet between 

 each plant. By grafting, these four kinds of trees can be transformed 

 into one, which succeeds perfectly well. Sour lemons and sweet oranges 

 are most sensitive to a cold temperature, especially the former, which 

 are sometimes completely ruined by cold. Thus the duration of these 

 trees depends on temperature, and might be prolonged to thirty or forty 

 years. In this country such trees are never troubled with any injurious 

 insect, etc. ; severe temperature is the only thing that injures them. 

 The orange and lemon groves are generally situated in the interior or 

 on the coast, but always iu the vicinity of towns in order to be sheltered 

 from cold. The plain lands are rather suitable for the plantation and 

 conservation of these trees ; but the best results are obtained on the 

 coast, where the soil is more or less sandy and light. Even at a distance 

 of a quarter of a mile from the sea these trees prosper quite well. The 

 system of irrigation used in this country is the running water. In those 

 places where such water is lacking wells are dug, the water of which is 

 used for watering the gardens by means of wheels mounted with buckets. 

 In the places where the soil of the groves is cultivated watering is 

 necessary in summer and autumn when rains are late, and this is done 

 repeatedly. 



It is commonly calculated that the average yield of these trees is worth 

 from $2.50 to $3 each. In this country no exportation of oranges or 

 lemons is made; on the contrary, large importation is effected annually 

 from the coast of Syria for the local consumption. 



ELIE AVANIA, 

 Acting Consular Agent. 



UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, 



Tarsus and Mersine, March 3, 1884. 



TRIPOLI AND VICINITY. 

 REPORT BY CONSUL BISSINGER. 



Varieties. The best varieties are, citron, mandarines, the " belady," 

 (indigenous) and Jaffa oranges, after which come the sour and* sweet 

 lemons. 



Situation. From the sea to 10 miles inland, with slight elevations. 

 The trees should be exposed to the sun. Low, level land is best. The 

 best soil is red or black, but sandy. 



Climate. The degree of heat is moderate; from 40 to 90 Fahr. 

 Cold nights destroy the blossoms. In warm days and nights the trees 

 have to be watered ; moist and ordinary atmosphere is beneficial. 



The rain-fall is 36 inches on an average per year. Abundance of rain 

 is advantageous ; frost injures the trees. 



