CONTINENT OF AMERICA. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 

 ECUADOR. 



BEPOSTST CONSUL BEAOB, OF GUATAQUIL,, 

 [Republished from Consular Reports No. 41-}.] 



Until very recently no attempt has been made to grow grapes in Ec- 

 uador, except here and there vines about dwelling-houses. These have 

 been grown on frames or poles, and with little or no attention to prun- 

 ing or cultivation. Nearly all classes of grapes can be grown to per- 

 fection. Of late some attention has been given to the subject in the 

 interior ; and on mountain sides, between ranges of the Andes, at an 

 altitude of from 6,000 to 8,000 feet (the soil decomposed lava), small 

 vineyards have been started with very favorable results, indifferent cul- 

 tivation considered. The vines are set by digging a hole with a hoe, 

 and are cultivated only by the use of a machete — a long, broad-bladed 

 knife — with which all other vegetation is cut down. The land costs 

 little or nothing, and the laborer is paid 20 cents a day and kept. 

 The vines are grown to stakes. As considerable wine is consumed in 

 the country, the National Congress, now in session, to promote grape 

 culture, has passed a law that all persons engaged in their cultivation 

 shall be exempt from military service — a great inducement to engage in 

 the pursuit, as the numerous revolutions have made frequent calls for 

 soldiers, retarding all industries. The value of the grape crop per acre 

 can be approximated by the value of wine, the most common bringing 

 $1.25 per gallon. The yield of grapes would doubtless be as large as 

 elsewhere under similar cultivation. It is not known that grapes may 

 not be grown in any section of the country. The general conditions 

 appear to be favorable for the growth of raisin-grapes, but I can not 

 ascertain that the experiment of growing them has ever been tested 

 here. 



Horatio M. Beaoh, 



Consul. 

 United States Consulate, 



Guayaquil, February 26, 1884. 



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