854 



FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



which draw the richness from the soil. Later in the season, if there are 

 any more grass or weeds they are pulled by hand. 



Maturity. — Vines come into full bearing at eight years old and last 

 about thirty or forty years in fruitful condition if the land is good. 



Irrigation.— There is no system of artificial irrigation in practice in 

 this province for grape culture, but all vines receive the necessary rains 

 naturally during the winter and spring. 



Yield.— An estimated average yield per acre per annum is about 9,000 

 pounds of grapes, which will yield about one-third that amount when 

 prepared as raisins, viz, 3,000 pounds, or 120 arrobas, at an average value 

 of 30 reals veil on per arroba in the vineyard as they run, good and 

 ordinary alike, which aggregates 3,600 reals vellon, or $180. From this 

 must be deducted 20 per cent, of the total yield for all kinds of Govern- 

 ment taxes, 10 per cent, on average production as interest on capital in- 

 vested, and about 30 per cent, for cost of crop, leaving a profit to the 

 producer of about 40 per cent, on the total yield. 



The figures are given for vineyards that are fruitful and healthy, free 

 from phylloxera and other plagues ; but it would be impossible to at- 

 tempt to average any particular crop, as years differ, from many unfore- 

 seen causes. 



Picking. — The vintage season for raisins commences about 1st of Sep- 

 tember each year, and the record of all statistics is calculated by vint- 

 ages. 



I have prepared a table, annexed, marked A, containing a comparative 

 statement, at parallel dates, of the raisin crop of Malaga, for each vint- 

 age, for the five years ending August 31, 1883, including the amount 

 exported, together with the names of the different countries to which 

 these exportations were made. 



General exports of box raisins up to end of crop compared mth other vintages at parallel 



dates. 



United States Consulate, 



Malaga, March 28, 1884. 



H. 0. Marston, 



Consul. 



