244 
Variation in the Price and Supply of JVheat. 
some energy, this important trade would become regular instead of exceptional. 
Harvest excellent. Total value of wheat and flour exported, 162,000?. The 
ancient system of cultivation, garnering, and holding out for high prices, con- 
tinues in Castile, a province which, under proper farming, might produce three 
times the present quantity of corn grown. 
SANTANDER. Tvepoet by Me. Vice-Consul Young foe 1864.— Little 
wheat is grown in the jirovince of Santander. 
In the Castiles agriculture is still carried on in a very primitive manner, 
although a few patent English ploughs and reaping-machines have found their 
way into two or three large farms. A fine growing climate, fertile land, and 
an aversion to all kinds of innovation, render the small farmers, who for the 
most part rent the soil, indifferent to the aid of science. 
Vigo, 1861. — Corn crops under an average both in quantity and quality. 
Prices of wheat were, 55s. Gd. to 61s. Qd. for the first quarter of the year, 
rising to 74s. to 78s. for the last quarter. 
Feeeol and Vigo. — The cereal crops of 1863 were an average in quantity 
but not in quality, the summer having been too hot and dry. The average 
price of wheat for the year was over 70s. a quarter, and that of other grain 
was proportionately high. Before harvest the price of wheat rose to 90s. a 
quarter. In England the average price of the year was 44s. 9d. 
SAN SEBASTIAN. Report by Mr. Vice-Consul March foe 18G3.— 
The staple produce of Guipuzcoa is Indian corn, which forms the chief food 
of the peasantry. Under favourable auspices it arrives at great perfection in 
this part of Spain; the stalks, with their amber-coloured heads, or majorcas, 
and dark green leaves, rising frequently to the height of six or seven feet. 
The annual produce of this nutritious and economical grain averages 92,625 
quarters, valued at 143,000?. 
Of wheat, about 39,000 quarters are grown j'carly, representing a value of 
99,500?. This quantity is by far too small for the consumption of the 
province, so that nearly as much again is imported, chiefly from Santander. 
Guijmzcoa is a great cider-drinking country, and the quantity annually 
made from the orchards, in which it abounds, is enormous. The annual 
quantity of this liquor manufactured in the province is calculated at 1,114,500 
gallons, and the value of it at 19,O0OZ. (4(7. a gallon). It was said, after the 
cholera visitations of 1852 and 1853, that cider drinkers had enjoyed a peculiar 
immunity from that disease. 
MAJORCA. — The island of Majorca produces large quantities of fruit and 
grain. The countiy is generally mountainous ; but there are some large plains 
covered with palm, almond, olive, orange, carob-bcan, and other fruit-trees. 
The sides of the mountains are even covered with these trees. The hills, in 
several instances, rise to a height of 5000 feet above the level of the sea. Agri- 
culture is in a very backward state, the peasant not having the most rudimen- 
tary ideas of the art. The climate is good, the heat not being excessive. The 
high chain of mountains screen the greater part of the island from the north 
winds. An English Company is at present engaged in draining some large 
marshes situated on the island, and has already laid out a considerable sum 
of money on the works. Cotton is their object. 
KussiA. 
Report by Mr. Vice-Consul Edward B. B. Barker, on the Products of 
THE Crimea. — The peculiar climate of the Crimea, very hot and very cold, 
and the position of the several districts of this peninsula, as they happen to look 
to the east or west, north or south, renders them fit for the cultivation of any 
vegetable or fruit which Europe produces; and if rain came more frequently 
to moisten this most fertile soil, the Crimea would be the most productive 
