ORANGES AND LRAfONS IN SYRIA. 445 



SIDON. 



JIEPORT liT CONSUL BlfiSlNQER, OF BEIRUT. 



Varieties. — The oblong, tliin-skiiiuBd, most delicate, but can not be 

 transported. Tbe other variety is tliick-sliinued, with flat ends, more 

 hardy. 



Situation. — On alluvial seacoast plain of Syria, within a ranffe of a 

 very iew miles, not more than 5 from the sea, and at an elevation up to 

 200 feet. Constant sunshine, very few clouds, no fogs. 



Soil. — Level, flat land ; sandy soil, the best and light earth. 



Climate. — Even, no sudden changes. Dry aad rainy season. Tem- 

 perature, 40° to 98° Fahr. ; average, 69° Fahr. Mghts warm. Air 

 without fogs or mist; some dew is beneficial. 



Bain-fall. — From S-t to 40 inches the ordinary range. Trees grow in 

 spring and put forth new shoots in fall if watered when thirsty. 



Irrigation, — By channels of running water from river. Irrigation is 

 used when after spring rains the leaf shows a need. Different soils 

 require different periods of irrigation. From six to fifteen days ; when- 

 ever the soil is dry then the trees are irrigated — ground flooded. . 



Gultivatiun — Plowed once a year. 



Fertilizers.— Best application is to put goat manure into irrigating 

 water. 



Pruning. — Varies; low trees preferred; less injury to fruit when it 

 falls; in fall dry wood is pruned. 



Picking. — Oheap kinds are allowed tofallfor home consumption. The 

 fruit is picked, for a near market, fully ripe; for a distance, while green. 



Packing. — Wrapped in paper and put in wooden boxes. 



Planting and propagating. — Branches touch and interlock ; from 20 

 to 30 feet; some are propagated, some are seedlings, but the best 

 varieties are budded. 



Maturity —I'jiE&is, according to land ; five to eight years they bear 

 well. 



Disease. — Only a small scale like a freckle on fruit, which dries the 

 tree. 



Shipping, paclcing, and canning goes on during all seasons of the year. 

 Every week, wrapped in paper and boxed. 



SIDON. 



JIEPORT BY COKSUZAIi AGENT ABELA. 

 (Republished from Cojisnlar Report No. 41^.) 



FfflW^ies.— Oranges are distinguished by their shape and contour. 

 Belady, round, flat ends, very thick peel, hardy; ripens late. Shamouty, 

 long fike an egg, thin-skinned; ripens early. Bisry, finest flavor; a 



