The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-24
AMERICA INTERESTED
OUR MACHINERY ON ASH
ATTIC FARMS.
Some of the Finest Lands in Asia
Minor Owned and Operated
by Americans.

Consul e. L. Harris, of Smyrna, supplies
the Following information concerning ag-
r~iculture in Asia Minor:
some OF the finest farming land in Asia
Minor, situated along the Smyrna-Aidin
railroad. Is owned and operated by Am
orleans. Until within recent years farm
ing for the most part has been in the hands
or large Turkish landowners, but of late
Europeans, attracted by the climate, have
purchased large tracts and commenced
raising tobacco, cotton and cereals upon a
scientific basis hitherto unknown in this
part of the world. The foreigners who now
farms in this vicinity are chiefly
English, Dutch. Germans and Greeks.
Ihe American farm owners are naturalized
citizens, formerly of Greek nationality.
Ihose h own large farms in this
Vllayet or province and who do not wish
10 operate them on their own account
usually make the following arran cement:
Inc peasants are supplied with dwellings
anu stables and are permitted to work the
Iand free OF monetary rent. As a usual
tnlng a landowner furnishes seed, together
Win small sums of money free of interest,
which are required during the year. The
peasant tills the land and gathers the
crops. From the total amount the Govern
n.ent receives as a 1.-THE Is per cent. the
remainder being equally divided between
the landlord and tenant. The usual winter
crops are wheat and barley. The summer
crops are corn, sesame, and in some local
tiles, cotton.
On a 4,0oO-acre farm lying south OF
tNazli, which is owned by an American,
there is a considerable amount OF American
zDlachlnery in use. A few years ago the
owner imported a traction engine, two
large centrifugal pumps. together with the
necessary pipes for irrigatlng purposes;
reaping machines, and grinding mills, all
from the United States. at a cost Of over
$4,000. Another American citizen of Greek
de seer t owns a farm of $4,000 acres within
20 miles of Smyrna, of which l5,0O acres
are arabic; The owner of this property
is : gradually introdueing improved ag srd
harrows are already in use. Binders have
bt en- tried, but were not successful owing
to the sIasn size of horses used for draft.
The purchase of a thrasher is cOntem-
plated in connection with a water wheel
as motive power.
The two railway companies of Smyrna
have always shown considerable interest
IN the sale of agricultural implements.
They have authorized their station masters
to act as agents for two local firms who
appliances. The Ottoman tAidim Rail-
way Company. an English corporation,
gives the preference to English pl9Ws
made after the American type. The
Smyrna and Cassaba Railway. n French
company, favors a well-knoWn make OF
American plows.
The culture of tobacco in the neighbor-
hood of Smyrna and at ancient Ephesus Is
prospecting as q whole, and the annual out
put is gradually icreasing. 1t is no longer
grown for local consumption, hut rapidly
aliN tlODilS III a lufihNlNt NADot u
The tobacco produced at Ephesus is usually
mixed with the better qualities grown in
Macedonia. The annual consumption OF
cigarettes in Turkey is estimated at $50. COO
600. Cigars are rarely seen In the country
districts of Asia Minor. and, as a rule, can
only be purchased in Smyrna, where they
are only moked by the European inhabi-
tants. +
Tobacco grown in the vicinity of Smyrna
is shipped to the United States in consider
able quantities. During the fiscal year 1906
the shipments amounted to $l51,102, which
1907. There are two American. tobacco
firms represented in Smyrna, with indepen-
dent factories. One firm employs AS pick
ers 35 girls and IS men,, and the other firm
100 pickers. They earn on an average about
20 cents a day. The term picker must not
work in the field. but those who work in
the factories picking and asserting the
leaves from the stems. Since these two
companies commenced business the produc-
ton Of tobacco in this section has doubled,
amounting in 1907 to 100000 pounds.
duce its potato supply. The fact that Asia
Minor Is n great fruit-producing country
has acted as a drawback to the cultivation
of the potato. However, the culture IS In
~creaslng and the imports are steadily falling
off. For the purpose of seed LOCO sacks or
trict every year. They are entered duty
free. Until recently Marscilles and Malta
practically supplied this market with pota-
toes. Now those from Italy have the best
sale. The value OF the potatoes imported
during 1906 was .$43, $50.
The export Of heeswaK from Smyrna
amounting to about 10000 pounds annually,
is drawn from the interior and the Islands
Of the archipelago. The price ranges from
&c to IS cents per pound.