There is no market worth seeking in this district for such articles as automobiles, electrical or other machinery, engines, motor boats, musical instruments, or office furniture, though there is an occasional isolated purchase. One automobile was ordered last June through this consulate, but owing to the outbreak of war its shipment has been indefinitely delayed.
Plans were being made for the installation of an electric-light plant at Sivas, but the undertaking has been stopped by the war. This would have been the first one in the interior of Asia Minor.
Effect of Emigration on Business—Money Sent from United States.
One advantage that American firms have in doing business here is that a large number of Armenians from this district have been to the United States. They have become familiar with articles of American manufacture and are useful agents in advertising their merits. Most of them understand English. Some of them buy small shops in the market and start in business for themselves. They naturally favor American goods. Others engage in some trade in which they employ American tools.
Local bankers estimate that nearly $1,000,000, or $10 per family, comes into this one Vilayet annually from emigrants who have settled in the United States. The importance of this revenue to the poor people here can be appreciated from the fact that the average family lives on about $150 a year. Many are wholly dependent on money sent them by relatives in the United States. Great hardship is being caused, therefore, by the present situation, as it is practically impossible to send money here.
The only industry of importance in this district is agriculture, and the prosperity of the region depends on the success of the crops. The farmers, who constitute a large part of the population, realized but little on the crops, owing partly to the abundance of yield, the decreased demand on account of the departure of large numbers of men for the army, and the scarcity of money. These conditions, however, benefited those living in the towns and cities.
Wheat sold in 1013 for 50 or 60 piasters per kile (a piaster is equivalent to 4.4 cents and a kile to about 170 pounds) and barley for 35 piasters per kile. Last year wheat sold as low as 35 piasters per kile and barley as low as 25 piasters per kile.
Increased Yield of Cotton.
Considerable cotton of an inferior quality is raised in this Vilayet. The bolls are about the size of a walnut, the fiber short, and the plants small. Other varieties do not thrive here on account of the shortness of the season. The method of cultivation is primitive, most of the work being performed by women, and little effort is made to secure good crops.