On the Agriculture of Spain. 
355 
are confined to the vegetation thej can reach by leaping a short 
distance from the ground, and is chiefly confined to the vineyards 
and spring crops. 
This insect only deposits its eggs in pasture or uncultivated 
grour^d, the process of ploughing being fatal to the larvae, which 
remain three or four years in the earth. In consequence of this, 
the peasants do not allow the smallest interval in their cultivated 
grounds: and, as they have the absurd prejudice that trees har- 
bour birds to eat the corn, most of the finer corn districts have a 
most monotonous and, excepting for a very short period, dreary 
appearance. 
There are several articles of less importance which are culti- 
vated in various parts of all the regions. The best hemp in Spain 
is produced in the Vega of Granada, where it is much cultivated, 
and also in parts of Aragon. Saffron is cultivated in La Mancha 
and Cuenca. Flax in very many parts ; and the liquorice root, 
which is indigenous in the first and second regions, and was 
formerly exported, is now beginning to be manufactured in the 
country. But all these branches are insignificant in proportion to 
the value of the great staples enumerated in their respective places. 
Potatoes are cultivated in almost every part of Spain, but in 
general as a culinary vegetable, and not as an article of subsist- 
ence ; nor are they in general good, with the exception of Galicia, 
where I tasted some as good as could be produced any where. 
One of the greatest errors in the agricultural policy of Spain 
is the refusing to grow tobacco, the growing the smallest quantity 
of which is punishable by presidio or transportation; whilst the 
whole country is covered by smugglers engaged in transporting 
the bad kinds from abroad, and there are vast tracts of land lying 
waste, a very small portion of which would supply Spain with it 
of excellent quality. 
With respect to encouragement of the art of agriculture, there 
is no want of establishments. There is a central school at Madrid, 
and lectures are given by a professor, but they are badly attended. 
In nearly all the capitals, as they are called, that is the chief 
towns of the ancient kingdoms, patriotic societies exist for the en- 
couragement of the industrial arts, at the head of which they 
always place agriculture; but owing to the late war and the suffer- 
ings in fortune resulting from it, everything requiring pecuniary 
support is extremely behindhand. Great good has, however, 
resulted, and very much more will, in case the country should re- 
main in tranquillity. 
