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Countries of the World: Turkey

The Sultan has a number of very large farms, some of them covering miles in extent, both in European Turkey and Asiatic Turkey, and they are intended to supply all those things which farms can produce. They do not grow rice, and in consequence nearly 1 ton is bought per day for the inevitable pilaff, 600 lbs. of sugar, as much coffee, to say nothing of the other groceries, fruit, vegetables, and meat. Rice and mutton and bread form the greater part of the food for the majority of the suite; yet, aside from these, they consume I ton of beef and half a ton of veal per day, in addition to other viands and fish, sweetmeats, confectionery, nuts, and dried and fresh fruits. The waste and extravagance in the kitchens are enormous, and enough is thrown away every day to maintain a hundred families. Much of this is gathered up by beggars, and the dogs eat the balance.

UNITED STATES.*