Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition | Page 4

of the Macedonian valleys. The flora of the
Balkans corresponds with that of the Carpathians; the Rila and

Rhodope group is rich in purely indigenous types combined with those
of the central European Alps and the mountains of Asia Minor. The
Alpine types are often represented by variants: e.g. the Campanula
alpina by the Campanula orbelica, the Primula farinosa by the
Primula frondosa and P. exigua, the Gentiana germanica by the
Gentiana bulgarica, &c. The southern mountain group, in common,
perhaps, with the unexplored highlands of Macedonia, presents many
isolated types, unknown elsewhere in Europe, and in some cases
corresponding with those of the Caucasus. Among the more
characteristic genera of the Bulgarian flora are the
following:--Centaurea, Cirsium, Linaria, Scrophularia, Verbascum,
Dianthus, Silene, Trifolium, Euphorbia, Cytisus, Astragalus,
Ornithogalum, Allium, Crocus, Iris, Thymus, Umbellifera, Sedum,
Hypericum, Scabiosa, Ranunculus, Orchis, Ophrys.
Forests.--The principal forest trees are the oak, beech, ash, elm, walnut,
cornel, poplar, pine and juniper. The oak is universal in the thickets, but
large specimens are now rarely found. Magnificent forests of beech
clothe the valleys of the higher Balkans and the Rilska Planina; the
northern declivity of the Balkans is, in general, well wooded, but the
southern slope is bare. The walnut and chestnut are mainly confined to
eastern Rumelia. Conifers (Pinus silvestris, Picea excelsa, Pinus laricis,
Pinus mughus) are rare in the Balkans, but abundant in the higher
regions of the southern mountain group, where the Pinus peuce,
otherwise peculiar to the Himalayas, also flourishes. The wild lilac
forms a beautiful feature in the spring landscape. Wild fruit trees, such
as the apple, pear and plum, are common. The vast forests of the
middle ages disappeared under the supine Turkish administration,
which took no measures for their protection, and even destroyed the
woods in the neighbourhood of towns and highways in order to deprive
brigands of shelter. A law passed in 1889 prohibits disforesting, limits
the right of cutting timber, and places the state forests under the control
of inspectors. According to official statistics, 11,640 sq. m. or about
30% of the whole superficies of the kingdom, are under forest, but the
greater portion of this area is covered only by brushwood and scrub.
The beautiful forests of the Rila district are rapidly disappearing under
exploitation.

Agriculture.--Agriculture, the main source of wealth to the country, is
still in an extremely primitive condition. The ignorance and
conservatism of the peasantry, the habits engendered by widespread
insecurity and the fear of official rapacity under Turkish rule,
insufficiency of communications, want of capital, and in some districts
sparsity of population, have all tended to retard the development of this
most important industry. The peasants cling to traditional usage, and
look with suspicion on modern implements and new-fangled modes of
production. The plough is of a primeval type, rotation of crops is only
partially practised, and the use of manure is almost unknown. The
government has sedulously endeavoured to introduce more enlightened
methods and ideas by the establishment of agricultural schools, the
appointment of itinerant professors and inspectors, the distribution of
better kinds of seeds, improved implements, &c. Efforts have been
made to improve the breeds of native cattle and horses, and stallions
have been introduced from Hungary and distributed throughout the
country. Oxen and buffaloes are the principal animals of draught; the
buffalo, which was apparently introduced from Asia in remote times, is
much prized by the peasants for its patience and strength; it is, however,
somewhat delicate and requires much care. In [v.04 p.0775] the eastern
districts camels are also employed. The Bulgarian horses are small, but
remarkably hardy, wiry and intelligent; they are as a rule unfitted for
draught and cavalry purposes. The best sheep are found in the district
of Karnobat in Eastern Rumelia. The number of goats in the country
tends to decline, a relatively high tax being imposed on these animals
owing to the injury they inflict on young trees. The average price of
oxen is £5 each, draught oxen £12 the pair, buffaloes £14 the pair, cows
£2, horses £6, sheep, 7s., goats 5s., each. The principal cereals are
wheat, maize, rye, barley, oats and millet. The cultivation of maize is
increasing in the Danubian and eastern districts. Rice-fields are found
in the neighbourhood of Philippopolis. Cereals represent about 80% of
the total exports. Besides grain, Bulgaria produces wine, tobacco, attar
of roses, silk and cotton. The quality of the grape is excellent, and
could the peasants be induced to abandon their highly primitive mode
of wine-making the Bulgarian vintages would rank among the best
European growths. The tobacco, which is not of the highest quality, is
grown in considerable quantities for home consumption and only an

insignificant amount is exported. The best tobacco-fields in Bulgaria
are on the northern slopes of Rhodope, but the southern declivity,
which