THE VINE IN SYRIA. 785 



consumption either in their fresh condition or for distillation. Never- 

 theless since France began to ask for foreign grapes a quantity of 

 about 3,300,000 pounds of raisins at a value of $66,000 is annually 

 exported from this province. The raisins destined for exportation are 

 dried up in the sun, placed in bags, and sent to the sea-ports to be 

 shipped in steamers. 



ELIE AVANIA, 

 Acting Consular Agent. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, 



Tarsus, March 3, 1884. 



TRIPOLI. 



REPORT BY ACTING CONSULAR AGENT TANNI. 



[Republished from Consular Reports No. 414.J 



RAISINS. 



Vineyards are found in all parts of this district, but especially in 

 the hedges surrounding the orchards of the large village Elininyeh, 

 about 6 miles northeast of Tripoli, on the hill-sides of the Dunniyeh 

 district, in the elevated valleys of the Lebanon, and on the table-lands 

 of Elkoura and El-Zawiyeh districts. 



The above-mentioned village, Elminyeh, is very close to the sea. 



Nothing is known concerning injury caused by sea fogs or mist. 

 The only injury to the vines occurred in the District of Dunniyeh, about 

 thirty years ago. This district is some 9 miles from the sea, and before 

 the time mentioned was famous for its excellent grapes. Some disease 

 of an unknown character reduced these grapes to a very poor condition, 

 so that the vines were almost destroyed. It is only within the last ten 

 years that the vines of Dunniyeh have begun to revive. 



In February and March, after the heavy rains are over and the 

 sun's rays begin to animate vegetation, people begin pruning the vines 

 by cutting off all the branches of the last year, so as to give place for 

 others. All kinds of vines are not pruned, for there are some sorts 

 which need no such treatment except in case of dead branches only, 

 which are cut off. 



Vineyards are planted in all soils, but the best results are obtained 

 from those of siliceous character. 



The lands planted to vines are cultivated four or five times a year, 

 and if neglected the product is correspondingly small. 



Vines begin to bear in their third year, but do not come to maturity 

 before the fifth year. They remain fruitful as long as they are prop- 

 erly attended, except when they are planted among olive trees, which, 

 when grown, kill not only vines but other trees. Vines in such situation 

 rarely live more than fifteen years. 



