ORANGES AND I^KMONfi IN SYRIA. 447 



is from 1 to 3 ceut.s eadi. TIie:-;e Uv^k come Kcuerally to their full bear 

 iug after the fifth year of their plautatiou, which is first effected in seeds 

 aud replanted the next year at a distance of from 13 to 10 feet between 

 each plant. By grafting, these four kinds of trees can be transformed 

 into one, -which succeeds perfectly well. Sour lemons and sweet oranges 

 are most sensitive to a cold temperature, especially the former, which 

 are sometimes completely ruined by cold. Thus the duration of these 

 trees depends on temperature, and might be prolonged to thirty or forty 

 years. lu this country such trees are never troubled with any injurious 

 insect, etc.; severe temperature is the only thing that injnrffs them. 

 The orange and lemon groves are generally situated in the interior or 

 on the coast, but always in the vicinity of towns in order to be sheltered 

 from cold. The plain lands are rather suitable for the plantation and 

 conservation of these trees ; but the best results are obtained oa the 

 coast, where the soil is more or less sandy and light. Even at a distance 

 of a quarter of a mile from the sea these trees prosper quite well. The 

 system of irrigation used in this country is the running water. In those 

 places where such water is lacking wells are dug, the water of wliich is 

 used for watering the gardens by means of wheels mounted with buckets. 

 In the places where the soil of the groves is cultivated watering is 

 necessary in summer and autumn whiMi rains are late, and this is done 

 repeatedly. 



It is commonly calculated that the average yield of these trees is worth 

 from $2.50 to $3 each. In this country no exportation of oranges or 

 lemons is made; on the contrary, large importation is effected annually 

 from the coast of Syria for the local consumption. 



Blie Avania, 

 Acting Consular Agent. 



United States Consular Agency, 



Tar.ivs and Mershie, March 3, 1884. 



TRIPOLI AND VICINITY. 



ItEPOBT BY OOKSVL BISSINQER. 



Varieties. — The best varieties are, citron, mandarines, the " belady," 

 (indigenous) and Jaffa oranges, after which come the sour and sweet 

 lemons. 



Situation. — From the sea to 10 miles, inland, with slight elevations. 

 The trees should be exposed to the sun. Low, level land is best. The 

 best soil is red or black, but sandy. 



Glimate.—The, degree of heat is moderate; from 40° to 90° Fahr. 

 Cold nights destroy the blossoms. In warm days and nights the trees 

 have to be watered ; moist aud ordinary atmosphere is beneficial. 



The rain-fall is 36 inches on an average per year. Abundance of rain 

 is advantageous ; frost injures the trees. 



