The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-21
TIE oz1 1RZ0GE TT CoRDoN4
having been gathered, the fields looked quite
barren ave for the vineyards.
pRTNurrvH RARMTNa


These are numerous all over Spain and
recall the fact that Spain, like other
colonizers. tried to make her colonies
supplement- her own products rather than
compete with them. She forbade grape
growing in Cuba. and in Mexico not only
prohibited the culture Of the vine but the
production of silk also.
Speaking Of grapes. 1t is only fair to say
that in this fruit Spain cannot be surpassed.
Nowhere have we found grapes so album
dant, so cheap or so delicious. At aNVienna
hotel last June they we're asking 81 for a
cluster-probably raised in a dollhouse
that in August could I've bought in Spain
for 10 or Is cents. The large white grapes
exported TO the United States and sold
as a luxury during the winter months are
here within the reach Of all.
Al along the railroad one sees primitive
AGRICULTURAL methods. The old fashioned
threshing fool is in common use, but in
stead of the fail they employ a machine
resembling n light disk harrow which is
hitcbed 10 a pair Of mules and drawn rapidly
round and round.
When the wheat il separated from the
straw men go over the threshing floor
md yinnow out the wheat, the wind blow
ing away the chat. We were informed
that they had had a prosperous year in
the grain districts, but the stubble did not
Indicate ar heavy a crop as we raise m the
United States.
Madrid surprised us. 1t contains more
than half a million inhabitants, is about
1000 feet above the sea and is really a very
attrs ctive city.
IL is not an ancient city, being less than
a thousand years old, but it has substantial
blocks, a beautiful boule vsrd and a picture
gallery one and a half centuries old. In
the different galleries at Madrid are some
Of tho best can vases OF Veiasquez and
MuTillo.
BULL FIGHTING.
As in all other Spanish countries. one
finds here reminders Of the national sport,
the bull fight. Each city has it's amphi-
theatre or circular bun pit, and il is often
the most conspicuous building in the place;
the fans--and in Spain the fan is omni-
present and often Of great value-are
mented with scenes from the bull light
and the biTlboards blaze with
ments of the next Sundays combat.
The bull fight is probably a lineal de-
scendant Of the g~ladiatoral contests Of
Rome, a surviving relic Of brutality which
must disappear when Spain follows her
northern neighbors in the adoption OF
universal education. Her percentage Of
i~lliteracy is disgracefully large.
While Spain has a constitutional govern
nsnt and goes through the form Of elect
ing a legislative body, her elections do not
seem 10 be characterized by the freedom
,Sifairness that attend elections innorthern
Europe. There il, however, in thisc country.
"a in others, a growing spirit Of reform
which is already demanding more schools
and less religious Interference in the Gov
eminent.
Much is expected Of the present King,
both because Of the independence which
De has manifested and because the new
queen comes from England. where par
nanentsry government has for centuries
been an established fact.
Before leaving Madrid a word should
oe said in regard to the Toledo w~are-iron
ana steel inaid with gold, IL resembles
somewhat the Damascene work Of Japan
and the old inlaid work Of Damascus and
Sonstantinople. The far famed Toledo
oHns was no, less dangerous in war be-
oouse u was ornamented with delicate
tacery Of gold.
'oRDovA, rae MOORISH CAPITAL
a night ride brought No 10 Cordova.