Imports for the port of Patras from January 1 to July 1, 1898—Continued.

Exports from the port of Patras from January 1 to July 1, 1898.

DECLARED EXPORTS, GREECE.

Value of declared exports for the United States at the consular offices in Greece for the year ended June 30, 1898.

ITALY.

CASTELLAMARE.'

The principal articles of export from this consular district for the first six months of 1898, compared with the same period of 1897, were:

It will be observed that for the period above named, there has been a decrease of exports at this consulate of $214,593.75. This is due to the operation of the new tariff law so far as macaroni and cheese are concerned, and to causes elsewhere stated in relation to oranges and lemons.

The quantity of fruit exported from Sorrento to the United States from January 1 to June 30, 1898, as noted above, shows a considerable decrease compared with that of last season-1897. The crop of both oranges and lemons having been very short, speculators preferred to export the same to Continental markets, where good prices were obtained. Shippers generally are timid in sending their goods to the United States market, as in past years, on account of the heavy duties.

The outlook for the new crop of Sorrento oranges and lemons promises to be fine in quality, and the quantity is expected to be two-thirds of an average crop.

It is to be hoped that if the fruit escapes damage from the elements in the winter, the exportation will be larger than during the past

season.

As regards the steamer service for the transportation of fruit, there are few lines which give satisfaction to the trade. It is believed that faster steamers, giving proper ventilation to the fruit and quicker passages, may be put on in the near future.

CASTELLAMARE, November 2, 1898.

JOSEPH E. HAYDEN, Consul.

CATANIA.'

Owing to my recent arrival at this post, I am unable to give as full a report on this subject as its importance merits. I have made careful inquiry into the condition of the principal articles of production and manufacture, and present herewith the best information obtainable.

In reply to circular of August 5, 1898.

ORANGES.

This year's crop of oranges will be much greater than that of last season, which was a very poor one. The increase is estimated at 50 per cent and the expected yield is placed at 1,300,000 boxes. The fruit is not as fine in appearance as usual, owing to the sickness known as "black" which prevails in some localities and causes the fruit to be covered with black spots, which are picked off by young girls before packing, causing an additional expense; but the quality of the fruit is not injured. The total expected yield for this consular district is estimated as follows:

It might be added that as the fruit is still exposed to all the dangers of wind and weather, storms and gales being frequent from December to March, and to the possible danger of frost, the quantity may be reduced considerably.

LEMONS.

The quantity of lemons will be about the same as last year, which had an average crop, but the quality of the fruit is somewhat inferior, having suffered by what is known as "louse" (pidocchio) and "white" (bianca), which spots the fruit and gives it a bad appearance. The yield for the consular district is estimated and divided as follows:

The remainder is expected to yield 3,500 pipes or casks of 130 gallons each of concentrated lemon juice, and about 310,000 pounds of essence or oil of lemon.

ALMOMDS.

The crop has been a small one, only one-half to two-thirds of the average. The reason for the shortage was frost, cold winds, and gales during the blossoming season, especially in the districts of Syracuse and Avola, where the crop had been exceedingly small. The almost total failure of the crop in France and the very small stocks which remained in the spring from the last reduced crop, caused a considerable advance in the prices over those of last year. From January to March, prices ranged for Palma-Girgenty, 60s. to 53s. per 50 kilograms ($14.58 to $12.87 for 112 pounds), free on board at Catania. After the damage to the growing crop as above noted, prices advanced from 53s. ($12.87) in February to 59s. ($14.33) in April, 66s. ($16.04) in May, 738. ($17.74) in June, and then fluctuated very little during July, August, and September, but in October advanced to 758. per 50 kilograms ($18.23 for 112 pounds). The export during September and October has been very large, and the stocks are already much reduced in this consular district. The average quality has been good.

FILBERTS.

The stocks carried over from last season being very small, prices commenced to advance and from January to June, increased from 37s. 3d. ($9.05) to 46s. ($11.18). These prices are per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds). The new crop was at first reported to be small, but it resulted in an average one, and can be estimated for the district at 18,000 to 20,000 bags of 100 kilograms each. The last year's crop was totally consumed in June.

During the gathering season the weather was very unsettled, showers occurring frequently, and therefore the nuts became dark colored. Shipments during September and October have been very large, and there is but a small stock remaining. The present price is 37s. ($9) per 220.46 pounds.

LINSEED.

There has been a larger crop than last year; the amount is placed at about 2,000 tons. The quality is about the average. Prices ruled from 12s. 1d. to 12s. 4d. during July, August, and September, and advanced in October to 12s. 9d. ($3.10) per 112 pounds, free on board at Catania.

MUSTARD SEED.

The crop has been small, 4,500 to 5,000 bags of 100 kilograms each, and as the crop at Bari, Italy, was also reported to be a small one, prices advanced materially from 12s. ($2.92) in April, for June delivery to 16s. ($3.89) in May, 23s. ($5.59) in June. They have since fluctuated but little, say from 21s. 6d. ($5.23) to 22s. 6d. ($5.47) for 112 pounds, and are now quoted at 21s. 3d. ($5.18).

CANARY SEED.

Owing to the low prices of last season, only a small amount was sown, and therefore there has been but a small crop. The export trade has been very dull and amounted to only about 1,000 bags during the year. The present stock may be about 2,500 bags; present price is 7s. 9d. ($1.88) for 112 pounds, free on board at Catania.

LICORICE.

Owing to higher wages in the interior of Sicily, caused by the sulphur trust, the output has diminished, but there was a large import of root from Calabria (South Italy) and Greece. The total production of licorice paste in blocks and sticks amounted during the year to about 5,600 quintals of 220 pounds each, being about 20 per cent more than the preceding year. The leading factories continue to be Bernardo Fichera, Marco Coco Testa, and Fratelli Rapisardi.

The average price of root during the season, 1897-98, has been 9.50 to 9.75 lire ($1.75 to $1.80) per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds). The prices of the paste are generally lower than in former years, and average, in blocks, according to quality and brand, 95 to 100 lire ($17.45 to $18.35) per 100 kilograms; in sticks, per 100 kilograms, 135 to 145 lire ($24.75 to $26.60).