New Britain herald., 1919-12-11
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360, ,O00, 900, while the value of wheat at normal price is estimated to be
 S235, ,OO0, ,OOO. As regards other cereals,
 about 4,OO0,ON acres are planted with
 maize and 100000 with rye, barley, rice and oats. Sugar beets, hemp, flax and tobacco take up about one sixth of the total agricultural area. Undoubtedly silk growing holds place next to that of wheat growing in Italian agriculture. The amount or
 raw silk produced in Italy during the years just prior to the war was be- tween 10000 ,OOO and 12 000,0o0 pounds, the greater part of which was export | ed. .. .a ..,-. '. .s Another important branch of Italian agriculture is the production of grapes and wine The statistics for the last 1 five years before the war, when ltal- | ian agriculture was fourishing under normal conditions, show that there l were 100000 acres of vineyards, producing 979,OOO.000 gallons of wine. 1 There are also more than 3,O0O,0OO acres planted with olives, from which are obtained nearly 50,OO0,0OO gallons of oil. .s Italy also raises an appreciable crop
 of oranges and lemons, which are grown extensively fin southern Italy and Sicily and amount to about TSO.- 900 tons a year. Nearly 100000 tons of oranges and about 300,O00 tons of lemons are exported. Approximately o5OOOO tons are manufactured into citric acid and similar products, for which Austria-Hungary has been It. aly's most important customer and Great Britain the second best.
 During the war period industrial growth in many directions has been manifest. In June, 1914, the total normal capital of all the limited com panies registered In Italy was approx imately $1,254, 100000. This capital had risen before the end of 1918 to S3,osS, 100000, or by about 146 per cent. During the last year alone 54O new companies were registered, hav- ing a capital of about s164, 100000, the grea ter part of which has been invest ed in the iron, steel and engineering industries. Besides, the capitalization of old companies has also grown.
 Technical improvements have been various. In 1913 the electric furnace was virtually unknown in the produc- tion of Italian pig iron; today electric furnaces are used extensively and have a capacity of 100000 tons. Prior to 1914 Italy imported most of the ma chnery used in the textile, beet sugar and paper industries, as well as agrl- cultural machinery. Italian concerns are now able to supply large part of this equipment. -.
 In common with other countries Ita- ly experienced a marked growth in the chemical industry during the last five years, and the development of elec- trical power Till afford opportunity for a still further expansion in these lines.
 Italy has derived another gain from her supreme economic effort put forth during the war. This is an enhanced valuation in the eyes of the remainder. of the world of the talent and skill which has been demonstrated by the engineering ability displayed by the Italians in dealing with all sorts of complex and difficult problems present. ed to them in their vast war program.
 Since the signing of the armistice, Italians have been especially aggres- sive in restoring trade, particularly with the Balkans and the Near East.