Natural Resources, etc.— The extent of the mineral wealth possessed by Morocco is not known with any accuracy. Copper, iron, and lead are obtained in larger or smaller quan tities. The flora of Morocco includes the esculent oak and cork oak; in the higher re gions of the Atlas the cedar and Aleppo pine, with many varieties of oxycedrus and juniper yielding fragrant gums; also the date-palm and the dwarf-palm east and south of the Atlas; and near the coast the Eleodendron argon, which yields an excellent oil. Among the wild animals are lions, panthers, ounces, wild boars, gazelles and several species of large antelope, especially the bubalus. The locust makes its appearance in May, when it lays its eggs. The young brood come forth a month later in count less multitudes, and in another month they take wing, consuming all vegetation in their prog ress and spreading desolation over the fields. They are gathered and eaten in large quantities. The ostrich is found on the south frontiers of Morocco.
Climate.—The climate west of Atlas is much' more temperate than might be expected under such low latitudes. This is due to the circum stance that a lofty chain of mountains, covered in some parts with perpetual snow, intercepts the hot winds from the deserts of the interior, so that the equable and refreshing sea-breezes prevail throughout the year. Hence the ex tremes of temperature lie within moderate lim its; the thermometer rarely falling below 40° F. in the winter, while it does not rise above 95° in summer. In the region east of the moun tains intense cold is felt in winter, while in summer the heat of the plains is insufferable.
Agriculture.— The agriculture of Morocco was in the lowest possible condition and the annual production calculated barely to supply the wants of the country; though with proper cultivation and under an enlightened govern ment Morocco will become one of the most productive countries in the world. Unfor tunately, until the French protectorate was established, owing to oppression and extortion, there was nothing but discouragement for any one attempting to reap advantage from these re sources. The cereal crops are wheat barley and maize; but durrah or millet (Sorghum vulgare) constitutes (he chief support of the population, though beans, the esculent arum, and even canary seed are much eaten by the poorer classes. Cotton growing was introduced in 1911. The vine was cultivated only near towns for the sake of the fresh grapes and for the raisins; but now the outlook for this prod uct is promising. All the fruits of the south of Europe are cultivated to some extent. Large numbers of the inhabitants lead a pastoral life, subsisting wholly on the produce of their herds and flocks, or else on game and the wild fruits of the forests. The chief wealth of the tribes
scattered over Morocco consists in their herds and flocks. The spirited small horses, for which the country was famous in ancient times, are still numerous, particularly in the southern provinces. Horned cattle are numerous, partic ularly in the northern districts. The bulls are generally tractable and are employed in the labors of the field— bullocks being little known. The sheep are supposed to number at least 45,000,000; while the goats are estimated at 10,000,000 or 12,000,000, and goat-skins consti tute one of the principal articles of export.
Manufactures and In general among the rural population, each family sup plies all its own wants. In the towns, however, some manufactures are carried on. Fez makes and exports great quantities of the cloth caps which bear the name of that city. The tanners of Mequinez and other places have a great repu tation, and Morocco carpets are much esteemed in Europe. The commerce is partly carried on with the adjacent countries, partly with Euro pean states. From the Sudan are obtained ivory, gold-dust, ostrich feathers, asafoetida, gums, Guinea pepper and slaves. Of the whole of the commerce with Christian states nearly half is carried on with Great Britain. The ex ports consist of beans, peas, almonds, goat skins, eggs, wheat, wool, wax, etc.; the imports, of cottons, sugar, wine and flour. The French have constructed 1,500 kilometers of roads. A railway has been completed to Fez and another connecting Casablanca to Marakesh is under way, while a line to link up with the Algerian railways has been completed as far as Taza. Postal services have been introduced, there are several wireless stations, and in 1916 there were 4,185 miles of telegraph, exclusive of military lines. Imports (1915), about $54,900,000; ex ports, $12,834,000. The number of vessels en tered at Moroccan ports in 1915 was 4,319, of a total tonnage of 1,963,540 tons.
Money, Weights and Spanish dollars and pesetas, as well as Moorish coins minted for the Government in France are cur rent, but of fluctuating value. The common currency consists of floos (two two-third cents) the blanked or muzoona of siz floos equaling approximately 16 cents; the okia or ounce of four blankeels. about 64 cents, and the miktal of 10 ounces equaling 76 cents. The kintar of 100 rotals for native produce is equal to about 168 pounds; the kintar for imported articles about 112 pounds. The drak of eight tomins is equal to about 22 inches. The mudd dry meas ure by which grain is sold equals 1 17/60 bushels; the kula of 28 rotals, by which oil is sold wholesale, equals 47 pounds in weight, or 53 pints by measure.