The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Gers

GERS, a S. W. department of France, formed from parts of Gascony and Guienne, bordering on the departments of Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Basses-Pyrénées, and Landes; area, 2,425 sq. m.; pop. in 1872, 284,717. The surface is in general hilly. It is watered by the Gers (which rises in Hautes-Pyrénées, and flows N. into the Garonne), Save, Adour, and several other rivers. The most important vegetable products are the cereals, flax, and onions. Fruit is scarce. Large quantities of wine and brandy are made, but of ordinary quality. The minerals are of little consequence, but gypsum and a fusible spar used in making glass and porcelain abound. The only manufactures are brandy, coarse woollens, leather, bricks, glass, and earthenware. It is divided into the arrondissements of Auch, Mirande, Condom, Lectoure, and Lombez. Capital, Auch.