Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - V. To Erivan. The physical features of Armenia
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
TO ERIVAN 131
roubles the kilo in 1924, and 1*24 in 1925, while the price of
American cotton delivered in Moscow was ri 8 roubles.
In 1925 cotton was grown on 45,000 acres, giving a total
crop of 15,000 tons of raw cotton, which was 12 per cent.
more than the previous year and 5 o per cent. more than before
the war. The comparatively small crop is due to inadequate
irrigation, lack of draught animals and implements, and
primitive methods. In general the average yield of irrigated
land is reckoned at about 1,040 kilos of raw cotton per hectare ;
and as the farmer gets about 0*3 1 of a rouble per kilo, the gross
income from a hectare is about 320 roubles.
With the help of the Armenian refugees from Turkey very
encouraging attempts have been made since 1921 to grow
tobacco. In 1925 there were 375 acres planted, and this was
to be increased to 1,250 acres in the foliowing year.
Silk culture has also proved lucrative, and is being further
developed. A nursery has been established, from which in
a few years’ time it is hoped to deliver 5,000,000 mulberry
trees per annum.
Vim culture has great possibilities ; the grapes are excep
tionally good and prolific, and Armenian wine is noted for
its excellence, especially that which is made by the Govern
ment-owned company " Ararat," which purchases the grapes
from the peasants. But the methods of culture are still
primitive, and great pains are being tåken to improve them.
In all there must be some 25,000 acres of vineyards, all
artificially irrigated ; the vintage does not exceed from 5 ,000
to 6,000 kilos of grapes per z\ acres, and is sold to the State
company at o*l7 rouble per kilo. This means a gross income,
per 2\ acres, amounting to between 900 and 1,000 roubles.
Up to the present phylloxera has not appeared in Armenia.
This may be because it is killed by the severity of the winter.
But on the other hand these winters may do a great deal of
harm to thevines themselves ; the severe winter of 1924-192 5
made havoc of a number of vineyards.
The orchards yield a rich harvest of splendid fruit, chiefly
apricots, peaches, plums, and cherries. The fruit is either
boiled into compote or canned and exported to Russia ; but
this industry could be greatly developed.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
