778 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



Coming now to the specific interrogatories, I submit the fullest infor- 

 mation obtainable upon the subject. 



Situation. The vineyards are located on table-lands and hill-sides, the 

 latter always facing the south. The soil of the former is sandy and of a 

 light red color, the alluvion of torrents ; that of the latter, calcareous and 

 clayey. Vines planted on the plains are more productive than those 

 planted on the hillsides, but do not last so long, the latter continuing 

 in good bearing condition for well nigh a century, while the former be- 

 came barren at the age of thirty years, sometimes sooner. The quality 

 of the hillside product is far superior. 



In the vicinity of Smyrna vines are planted near the sea-shore, but 

 there are flourishing vineyards in localities from 7 to 20 miles inland. 

 Vineyards planted near the sea-shore are often injured by mists and 

 fogs. 



Varieties. Four kinds of raisins are cultivated, viz, Sultanas, Bed, 

 Black, and Muscadine. The Sultanas are not palatable while fresh, 

 and are marketable only when cured. The black and red are excellent 

 while fresh, and are put in that condition on the local markets in large 

 quantities. There is also another variety of black grape which is cured 

 and shipped to France, where it is used in the manufacture of wines. The 

 wines made in Smyrna are the product of the same variety of grape. 



The vines on the coast run the greatest danger during the months of 

 March, April, and May, from the cool, damp mists blown in from the 

 sea. The losses sustained from this cause are frequently from 20 to 30 

 per cent, of the total yield. 



Pruning. Pruningis done in December and January with small, sharp 

 saws, carved at the end. The branches are cut about 1 foot 6 inches 

 from the ground. Care is taken to do this work during the first and 

 second quarters of the moon. 



Planting. Vines are planted from the beginning of March to the 

 middle of April, according to nature of soil and atmospherical condition, 

 the ground having been dug the previous summer to a depth of 3J feet. 

 This manner of planting was introduced here some twenty years ago by 

 emigrants from the Grecian Archipelago, and gives the best results. 

 Another and older method is to plant fields which have been plowed 

 over three or four times by the plow of the country, which dates ^ack to 

 the infancy of ancient Greece. 



Cultivation. The cultivation of vines in vogue here is as follows : In 

 November trenches are dug round the vines and filled with manure. 

 Six weeks later, as above stated, the process of pruning begins. Dur- 

 ing January, February, March, and April the vineyards are dug twice 

 only, the first time at a depth of 1 foot 6 inches, taking care, of course, 

 not to injure the roots, and the second time very lightly, in order to de- 

 stroy the weeds which absorb the moisture necessary to the plants. The 

 process of watering vineyards is not in favor with the growers of this 

 province. 



