The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-04-18

toio lnat the inferior part of the
crop now goes to Marseilles, where it
wines. being mixed with grapes for
that purpose.
In addition TO the Zante currant
Greece produces fine muscatels and
and also grapes which make
excellent wine. The native wines are
so cheap that the eommon MAJ has
WINE at his meals Many of the
farmers make their own wines at
ter the old style, in which hi juice
Is trodden ont by the ~ feet OF the
girls O. the family.
Grain Farming.
saw but little wheat on my way
across Greece. although l am old
both wheat and barley are grown.
The most Of the wheat used Is i'm
ported from Russia. Some IS still
which in h past was the bread basket
OF the country. This plain Is now
divided up into estates owned by a
very few people. who ent the lands
for two-thfrds Of the crop. The gov
crnment to buy the larger
farms and sell them of to the peas
ants on long time at low prices.
Another increase in the farming
lands OF Greece will come from the
draining of Lake Kopias. This will add
that there is more which may be
brought into use. AS it is now, less
than one-fifth Of the country is cul-
tivated and only about one-tenth is
used for grazing. The only farms
Of any size are those In Thessaly and
in the kopais basin.
OOr Agr1cultHFists.
The Greeks are very backward as
to their farming methods. They are
using the same tools their ancestors
of it's glory. The wheat Is cut with
the sickle and bound with the hand.
The threshing is done with fails. or
the grain is trodden out by hullocks.
Much Of the work is done by women
and girls. Oxen are used for plow-
ing, and the pillow is q forked stick
with a rude share at the end. F%erti-
lizers are almost unknown and no
rotation Of crops IS practtced. The
people plant the same grain year at
ter year. until the fields are worn
out, and then let Their, lie 1a1low:
until they reeuperate. The soil is
thin and light, but it irrigated it pro-
lduces bountifuIly. One OF the great
troubles is lack of water.
How the Farmers Live.
ers sleep out Of doors and live large
| uy in the open air. The country
| houses are ain ost everywhere poor
CARPENTER-TWO
! and rather mean in comparison with
those of other European countries.
| They have stone floors and the poorer
mes have neither windows nor Chin
neys. Some of two stories have q
stable on the ground floor. and the
lpeople live above, going Up by q stair
way. from the outside. There is al
most no furniture and q little stone
Estove or an omen fire off," forms the
cooking arrangements. In the smaller
thouses the pigs are sometimes taken
inside. A little low wall IS built across
one side Of the room and there the
, people sleep at night.
The Greeks live sim ply. I did not
see a drunken man during my stay In
the country. and thefe cannot De
fmuch gluttony in a place where bread.
wine and onions make up the average
dinner. But little l1sat is eaten by
the farmer. goats cheese and dried
olives taking It's place. Olive Oil is
.used for butter, and is eaten upon
Everything. Farm hands are usually
fed upon bread and olives. with NUT
ton or goats flesh upon feast days.
one of the great feasts is at Easter
This holds the same place as hanks
giving with US, q roast lamb taxing
place Of our Thanksgiving turkey.
The Honey Of HymettuS-
You have all heard of the honey OF
Hvm ettus. which was so celebrated by
the old Greek poets. That honey is
sold throughout Greece, although 1t
liza claimed hat honey from other
nIaces thar Hyurettus Is equally good
All. Greek honey has a me mayor,
which is supposed to be due to the
tthyn1e which grows everywhere An
rnnrfcan woman who has made a
fortune in Bookkeeping in the United
states and who understands all about
tdowers as honey producers has just
fmade a tour of Greece. She says there
lie no land on earth SO well fitted FOR
L. hea farmer nor any which has as
many honey-producing flowers. She
Va1,nd 6ftv different varieties Of bios
SONS on a tramp Of one day and dis
5000 that each contained honey,
e. thinks Greece might supply nue.
of +he honey Of Europe if its bees
wara handled after modern
e ~ 10 now, the hives are mere
baskets, plastered with mud. and the
bees are smoked out when the money
is taken. Many are kliIea ant .hs