GIRONDE, the largest department of France, is rendered remarkable, in an agri cultural point of view, by the district called the Landes. These landes are sandy heaths, of which only a small part has been brought into cultivation, and which occupy nearly half of the department, extending from the sea to the valley of the Garonne. The sands of the downs along the sea-shore, driven inland by the winds, gradually overspread a considerable tract of country, encroaching yearly from 70 to 80 feet along the whole extent of the coast. The increasing devastation has however been checked by planting broom and other shrubs, by means of which the sand has in most parts become fixed.
The department produces wheat, rye, maize, and millet. The rye and millet are raised in such parts of the Landes as have by dint of manure been brought into cultivation. Ex cellent fruits and a large quantity of hemp are grown. But the staple produce of the department is wine, of which 40 to 50 millions of gallons are produced annually. The finest clarets are from this part of France, as the growths of Lafitte, Latour, Chateau-Margaux, (these are in the Medoc district, on the left of the Garonne and Gironde, between Bordeaux and the sea) Haut-Brion, Sauterne, Barsac, and the "%Tins de Grave. The extensive woods which skirt the sea-coast, or pervade the Landes, consist chiefly of the pine (Pines ma Mem), from which turpentine, pitch, and charcoal are procured, as well as timber for building and masts for vessels. The cork
tree is abundant. The inhabitants of the Landes make charcoal, or tend the numerous flocks, which obtain scanty food amid these sandy wilds. The chief manufactures of the department are calico, muslin, soap, chemical products, pottery, paper, vinegar, brandy, sugar, beer, leather, glass, &c. Ship-building is extensively carried on in Bordeaux. There are several tobacco factories, dyehouses, rope walks ; and a great deal of salt is made along the coast. The department contains upwards of 1,600 wind-mills and water. mills, about 50 iron-foundries, and 350 to 400 factories of , different kinds.
The most important commercial town is BORDEAUX. Next to this is Blaye, which has linen and woollen factories, glass-works, pot teries, ship-building yards, and a considerable commerce in wines, brandies, spirits, oil, soap, fruits, ship-timber, staves, &c. Vessels put into the port of Blaye to complete their car goes, and to supply themselves with provi sions. St. Vivien has a great trade in salt, of which 0,000,000 bushels are annually pro duced from the neighbouring salt-works. At Libourne the manufactures are of cotton yarn, iron, leather, ropes, and nails ; ship-building is also carried on. The trade is in wine and brandy, oak staves, iron, coal, and salt. Cas tellon has cotton factories, tan yards, rope° yards, and cooperages, and nails are manufac tured to a considerable extent.