16 



THE LICORICE PLANT. 



preparations of that root as are used in this Kingdom are entirely of 

 foreign origin. 



The licorice root and paste exported from Portuguese ports are orig- 

 inally sent hither from Spain for shipment. 



J. B. WILBOE, 

 Vice and Deputy Consul- General. 



CONSULATE-GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, 



Lisbon, March 12, 1885. 



CULTIVATION OF LICORICE IN ASIA MINOR. 



EEPOET BY CONSUL STEVENS, OF SMYRNA. 



In acknowledgment of circular under date of February 10, 1885, call- 

 ing for information concerning licorice root, how it is grown, prepared 

 for market, &c., I have the honor to report as follows : 



The root grows wild. Being indigenous, it requires no cultivation. 

 The best root is found on the borders of streams, creeks, and rivers, 

 where the soil is sandy but subject to overflow. 



The climate must be mild, as the quality is affected by frost. The 

 plant reaches maturity in three years; sometimes, under favorable con- 

 ditions of soil and climate, in two years. Once it has taken root, it is 

 very tenacious of life, growing spontaneously, and although the ground 

 be dug over every two or three years it will continue to reproduce itself. 

 The plant itself,^ which attains" to a height of from 3 to 4 feet, is not 

 utilized, the root alone possessing value. The root does not take a deep 

 hold of the soil, seldom reaching below 2 feet, and is easily extracted. 

 The best time for digging is when the sap is in the root, say during the 

 months of October, November, and December. After being dug it is 

 carefully dried, to prevent mold, and kept from freezing, until it is 

 perfectly dry. 'it is then packed in bales of 300 pounds weight, and 

 subjected to hydraulic pressure to reduce space and thus save freight. 

 Great care must be observed in these processes, as the slightest moisture 

 is hurtful, and if one bale in a cargo is injured the injury is communi- 

 cated to the whole. The prepared root must be free from the slightest 

 blemish, as other wise it is well nigh valueless. Hence no adulteration 

 is possible. 



A very large proportion of the root produced in this province finds 

 a market in the United States, being conveyed thither in sailing ves- 

 sels flying the Italian and Austrian flags, at an average freight of $4.80 

 per ton of 2,240 pounds. The exports of licorice root from this consular 

 district to the United States during the twelve years were as follows : 



