The other chief produce of the plain of Valencia is the mulberry, once the source of great riches, through the silk manufactories of the city. This trade had been declining for many years; first, the French invasion was the means of destroying the mulberry trees; and then, the loss of the colonies, to which the silks of Spain enjoyed an exclusive trade, gave the death blow to this source of wealth. The first blow was remediable, for new plantations now cover the plain; but when these began to be serviceable, the second severer blow rendered them almost valueless. At present, the silk manufactories of Valencia do not employ one twentieth part of the hands that were needed, previous to the loss of the colonies; for these silks cannot compete in the foreign markets with the manufacture of France or England. The only manufactured silk that continues to bear a remunerating price, is the damask, and rich silks used in religious ceremonies. The produce of silk from the plain of Valencia, is computed to be about one million of pounds; by far the greater part of which is exported in its raw state; and the average price is from forty to fifty reals per pound (8_s._ to 10_s._). The export of fruit from Valencia is large, particularly of raisins; these are of two kinds, the muscatel, and an inferior raisin,--but neither are equal to the raisin of Malaga. These, like the lexia of Malaga, are used in England for puddings, confectionary, and wine; but since the introduction of cape wine into England, the manufacture of raisin wine has greatly decreased; and with it, in some degree, the export of raisins from Spain. This, however, is still very large. In the year 1829, 47,000 quintals of the best, and 42,000 quintals of the inferior raisin, were exported from Valencia;--in all, eight million five hundred and forty-four thousand pounds of 12 ounces. This export was exclusively for the English market. These statements I make upon the authority of Signor Trenor, the chief exporter of fruit from Valencia, and who has access to the export tables. The export of figs, oil, and wine, from the province and different ports of Valencia, is also considerable, particularly the latter, which is called _Beni Carlo_, and is exported from a town of the same name, lying considerably to the east of Valencia. This wine is sent chiefly to _Cette_, from whence much of it finds its way to Bourdeaux, by the canal of Languedoc, to give body and colour to the clarets.