20 THE LICORICE PLANT. 



which previously used but a very small. quantity of it to make the bev- 

 erage known under the name of " coco." The right to root up this 

 plant from the lands where it grows is bought from the proprietors for 

 a certain number of years, as the reproduction, notwithstanding the 

 uprooting of the plant, is effected very rapidly. As soon as the first 

 rains of November fall, and the plant becomes completely dry, and the 

 sap is reabsorbed by the roots, workmen begin with spades to pull this 

 root out. This article, in a damp condition, is heaped up in stacks on 

 a bed of pebbles placed on sloping ground, which allows the rain- 

 waters during the winter to run easily down. To prevent the overheat- 

 ing and the molding of the root in question, these stacks, in the month 

 of February, are turned upside down. This expensive operation is re- 

 peated at different times until the mouth of June, at which time, the 

 drying being complete, the transport to the port of shipment is made 

 on camels' backs. The firm of Alexander Sidi, of Smyrna, which has 

 effected the most important purchases in this year, for the account of 

 an American company, has just established at Alexandretta presses 

 moved by steam, which will be used for the pressing of the licorice root. 



The quantity which will be exported this year from the ports of Sue- 

 dich and Alexandretta can be estimated at about 6,000 tons, at an ap- 

 proximate value of $192,000. 



F. POCHE, 



Consular Agent. 



UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, 



Aleppo, May 14, 18e?5. 





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