700 



I'JilllT CUlVrURK IN FOREION COUNTRIES. 



as rather precarious in Mn^ nncougenial cinnrastauces of thi' region ; I 

 have not been able to ])rocure any detailed statement of the economical 

 elements of the culture, but as the plant is grown either in the midst 

 of other crops or on ground which would be otherwise unavailable, it 

 is not generally regarded here as a factor of importance in the account 

 of a farm. The latest statements give the present production of oil in 

 the province at about 10,000 hectoliters (264,000 gallons) consumed en- 

 tirely there and in the neighboring region. The preparation of the fruit 

 for table use is exclusively domestic, or, at most, for the retail trade and 

 consumption of the town population adjoining, and no mention is made 

 of it in the statistics of the country. 



The rainfall registered for the city of Verona for a period of 20 years, 

 from 1861 to 1878, is as follows : 



li=61 19.31 



1862 32.44 



186:5.. 29.31 



1864 26.16 



1865 21.51 



1866 29.21 



1867 18.68 



1868 40.72 



1SIJ9 56.61 



1870 29.85 



Inches. 



1871 31.10 



1*572 47.10 



1873 3^.77 



1874 27.16 



1875 2'2. 12 



1876 42.07 



1877 34. 1.-5 



1878 33.04 



Average 'M. 29 



PIGS. 



The flg is regarded here rather as a vile and common plant, insufiS- 

 oient either in quantity or quality for preservation as an article of ex- 

 port, and requiring neither care nor attention in its growth ; it thrives 

 everywhere unheeded, in sheltered spots, near country houses or along- 

 garden walls, and only serves to supplement the outfit of the market 

 gardener for the nearest town. The fruit at Venice is neither succulent 

 nor very well flavored, though large and showy, and often ripens badly, 

 or rather decays in ripening. At Verona it is cultivated with care in a 

 few localities, and one variety, with a fruit very small and intensely 

 sweet, the Segalini, much resembling and probably an acclimation of 

 tlie Piocoli Yerdini of Tuscany, but inferior, has a local reputation. Be- 

 sides this, the Napoletani and ISanti, introduced from the south, are 

 dried for home use. 



As the tree is only found casually in odd corners, and usually single, 

 there can be no estimate of yield per acre. 



For planting, any portion of a braiitth, slightly beaten and bruised, if 

 ])laced in the earth will readily take root; the variety preferred may be 

 grafted on it at a propin' age. 



Along the shores of tln^ Lake of («arda the jiroduct less in demand 

 for the market as fresh fruit, is dried in small quantities by tiie simple 

 process of exposing to the sun on osier gratings and packed in small 

 kegs with a little sugar and a liberal si>rinkling of flour ; or else strung 

 on twigs and hung in the sunshine till completely evaporated, but all 



