The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-09-14
THE LAND OF ROSES.

1t is probably not generally known
that the region in which General
GouEko has oeen lately operating with
his Cossacks IS the land whence by
lar the greatest quantity of altar OF
roses comes to western Europe Kas-
anlIk,I the name which has so often
figured during the past fortnight as a
point of strategical importance. is also
tile centre of one of the most remarka-
bic species of horticulture, or rather
agriculture, TO be found in the whole
world.
Around it, or near it, are the dis
tricts of Cirpan, Giopea, Karadshah
Dagh, Kojun-Tepe, Ycni Saghra, all of
which are devoted to this peculiar
husbandry. The Mussulman tradition
assigns the origin OF the rose to the
night of Mohammed's journey to
heaven. The white roses sprang from
the drops of sweat which fell from the
blessed forehead of the prophet him
self in the toilsome ascent the sweat
of BOrak, the miraculous animal he
rode, gave birth to the yellow ones
while the celestial drops which fell
from Gabriel were the source of the
red rose. The appearance Of the
neighborhood of Kasanlik would favor
q suspicion that tine heavenward jour
ney must have sorely tried the arch
angel, and Count Won Moltke, who
was well acquainted with Bulgaria
AMI the Balkans, has styled the valley
Of the Tundja "the Cashmere of Eu-
rope, the Turkish Gulistan, the Land
Of Roses
Roses are not grown there as with
MS in isolated patches in gardens, but
in fields and in ridges as if they were
no better than potatoes. 1t would be
difficult to imagine anything more
charming than the appearance of
those rose fields and any painter who
should attempt to reproduce this pic
ture would assuredly be charged with
exaggeration. But it would De i'm
possible to catch the infinite altera-
tions of color both among the roses
themselves and the green leaves of the
shrubs Hundreds of millions of rose
leaves stew the ground and are use
less for the chief object in view. 1t
is calculated that about one-fourth of
the leaves are lost in his way; per
haps as much more either fail 80 come
to the requisite perfection or are un-
avOidably wasted The entire pro
duce of the tekne, or region, of which
kasanlik is the centre, is estimated at
eight hundred or nine hundred kilO-
grammes (from one hundred and
ninetv-live to two hundred and twenty
imperial gallOns) of rose oil. The
wealth Of water i'll the valley is prod-
gious; springs are not only numerous
but most abundant in yield. There is
a general system Of irrigation which,
remembering that the country is Bul-
garia and not Lombardy, is aGmra-
blc. The Whole valley Was a picture
of prosperity; the result of natural
fertil ty carefully tended by human
industry. Where roses are now cult
waited, heavy crops Of maize are gath
cred, and along the slopes ahd down
by the waters;de are numerous herds
and hocks. kasaElk itself is a Gown
of ten thousand inhabitants, and is
surrounded by magnificent walnut
woods, which are also q source of
commercial industry.
Won Moltle speaks of the situation
as one of the raIest beauty. Many
OF the trees, he says, cover an extent
of one hundred feet with their spreads
inc branches, while countless wild
pigeons fill the woods with their COO
ing. The murmering of the rush of
waters is heard in every direction /;
the sky itself presents perpetually
changing aspects by reason of the
neighboring mountains while the de
licious fresh air is redolent with deli
cate pei tume. About twenty five
miles to the southeast of Kasanlik, and
divided from the Tundja valley by a
range of hills, is Eski Saghra, a town
Of eighteen thousand inhabitants, also
q notable industrial centre, the best
silk and finest wheat in Turkey being
prc ducel in the surrounding district.
With such diligcnt husbandmen 4
moderately fair government would
soon make the whole southern Bulga-
liza the richest and most productive
country i'll Europe. The campaign of
which these beautiful and fertile val
leys are now the theatre will have
probably ruined the rose culture, at
least for many year.-LOndoH Times.
Is COFFEE wholesome know
it is palatable, as very few people dis.
like it; but many eschew it on account
of its deleterous effects It's odor in
preparing is delicious, far more ST
than the acCual drinking of it. | am
us fond of it as any one, but have not
taken cup in twenty five years 1t
is more productive OF bile, especially
to people of scdentary habits, than any
other thing that can be drank or eaten
Indeed, the most Loted physicians
protest against its use beyond single
cup ut breakfast, i'll which proportion
it can he taken with safety. But