MAROCCO. In this large country of Northern Africa are cultivated wheat, barley, rice, Indian corn, and holcus sorghum, or dhurra. Other objects of cultivation are cot ton, tobacco, sesamum, hemp, saffron, henna, and different kinds of peas and beans. The plantations of date trees, olive trees, and al mond trees are very extensive. The fruit trees of southern Europe are also common, especially the fig and the pomegranate. Fo rest trees are numerous on the northern slope of the Atlas. The Marocco sheep produce a wool not inferior to any for softness, fineness, and whiteness. Goat-skins constitute one of the most important articles of export. The mineral wealth of Marocco is very imperfectly known, but is supposed to include gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, rock salt, and fuller's earth.
As the inhabitants dress chiefly in wool, the manufacture of woollen cloth is general, but the material is usually coarse. In some places however theie are manufactories on a large scale, which supply articles of export. A few silk goods are also woven. The inhabitants of Fez are distinguished as goldsmiths, jewellers, and cutters of precious stones ; many of them aro also occupied in making Marocco leather, and different kinds of earthenware. Tanning
and leather dressing are carried on exten sively ; and carpet weaving is also much practised.
The Mogliribins carry on a very active commerce with Soudan or the interior of Africa, and with Egypt and Arabia, by cara vans, and with several parts of Europe by sea. From Timbuctoo, as a central point, the mer chants traverse the adjacent countries, ex changing their goods for those of Soudan. The caravans which go to Mecca are chiefly composed of pilgrims, and are much more numerous than the trading caravans. They depart only once in the year, and follow two routes.
European vessels visit the harbours of Te tuan, Rabatt, Saffi, and Mogadore, and ex port the produce of the empire to Italy, France, Spain, England, and Holland, bring ing in return the produce of European and other countries.