THE LICORICE PLANT. 17 



The quality of tbe root produced ill this province is superior to that 

 found in Greece or Syria, and perhaps to that of any other country. 



The very best grown is at Meneinen, a place situated about 23 miles 

 from Smyrna, in the valley of the river Hermus, and on the line of the 

 Cassaba Eailway. 



In the neighborhood of Alascbeir (ancient Philadelphia), the present 

 terminus of this railway, large districts are given over to the growth of 

 licorice. The largest yield is, however, in the neighborhood of Sakia, 

 on the line of the Ottoman Eailway, which at this place skirts the val- 

 ley of the Meander. This territory is monopolized by the wealthy 

 English firm of McAudrews & Forbes, who make heavy shipments to 

 the United States. 



The Alascheir territory is now largely controlled by an American 

 manufacturing company, of which John H. Leeds, of New Haven, Conn., 

 is manager. The energy and enterprise shown by Mr. 'Leeds in getting 

 possession of this property are worthy of emulation by other American 

 capitalists. Be has also secured extensive licorice-producing grounds 

 in Syria, and is no longer at the mercy of the one or two firms who 

 formerly monopolized the product in this region. 



It is now only about fifty years since the fact became known that 

 licorice root was growing wild on the banks of the rivers which drain 

 the fertile regions of Asia Minor. A German archaBologist made the 

 discovery. Some time after an enterprising English resident of Smyrna 

 secured from the Turkish Government the sole right for a series of years 

 to dig the root, which then, as now, was growing for the most part 

 upon land owned by the Government. He realized a fortune out of the 

 monopoly, and then sold it to the English firm before mentioned. The 

 concession expired a number of years ago, and has not been renewed ; 

 but until the advent of Mr. Leeds, about eighteen months since, the 

 monopoly was maintained against all efforts of individuals to break it. 



I see no reason why licorice may not be produced in California, New 

 Mexico, Texas, in fact, all the Southern States of tbe Union, with the 

 exception of those in the northern tier. Whether it could be produced 

 in competition with this region is perhaps a question, inasmuch as the 

 labor of digging it is considerable, and labor of the kind required can 

 be had here at one-fourth the cost of the cheapest labor in the United 

 States. 



As I have said, however, when once the plant is well rooted its eradi- 

 cation is difficult, so rank is its growth and so tenacious is its life, -and 

 it may be experiment would prove that its introduction would be at- 

 tended with highly beneficial consequences. 



The amount of the annual product in Asia Minor is certainly limited, 

 and as the demand for it, in one form or another, by other countries is 

 increasing rapidly, some new region must soon or late be discovered or 

 created in order to meet this demand. 



I hope to be able in a few days to gather more facts bearing upon 

 this subject, which I shall embody in a supplementary report. 



W. E. STEVENS, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



(Smyrna, March 27, 1885. 

 136 A 2 



