central regions. Rains are very rare from December to March 
in this part of the country. It is in this district where the culti¬ 
vation of fruit for drying or preserving has become of importance, 
and a number of factories have been started for this purpose. It 
can be safely stated that the fruit production can be increased a 
hundred-fold if advantage is taken of the natural conditions 
which are favorable to this industry. 
The most notable dry-fruit centers of the country are Elqni, 
Huasco, Paihuano, Vallenar, etc. They are chiefly devoted to 
preparing raisins from the “ Moscatel de Alejandria ” grape, 
dried figs and peaches. 
In the south preference is given to drying cherries and 
plums. 
Exports of dry and fresh fruit for 1900 amounted to a little 
over $221,000 (Chile currency), not including exports of pre¬ 
served fruits. The most important establishments for preserving 
fruits are situated in the Provinces of Aconcagua, Santiago and 
O’Higgins. 
There are several large nurseries in the country, the principal 
one being “ Santa Ines,” which belongs to Senor Salvador Izqui- 
erdo Sanfuentes, situated at Nos, in Santiago Province. Both in 
magnitude and varieties of trees cultivated this nursery ranks 
with the largest in Europe. Senor Benjamin Matte’s establish¬ 
ment at Guindos, in the same province, and Senor Manuel Bun- 
ster’s “ El Vergel ” at Angol, are also important ones. 
With the object of encouraging the creation of plantations 
and particularly of fruit trees, the Government of Chile has 
recently established nurseries in different parts of the country 
where agriculturists may find any species of tree they desire to 
cultivate, at reasonable prices. 
Horticulture* 
Chile possesses special advantages for raising any kind of 
vegetable with comparatively little labor and excellent results. 
The productiveness of her soil, her mild climate and irrigation 
facilities are favorable conditions for horticulture. Exports of 
fresh, dried and preserved vegetables are increasing rapidly. 
17 
