Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-10-26
Fertility of the Holy Land.


tual experiment shows, notwithstanding, that
Palestine now, even as in the days of her former
glory, might he made "a land flowing with milk
and honey" much as this high-wrought figure
expresses. Recently, Mr.. Meshulam, a COLI
verted Jew, has fixed himrelf with company in
the valley of Artas, situated between Bethlehem
and Solomon's Pool, where cultivation of the
soil has been engaged in with satisfactory, and
even surprising, results. "For many years pre-
vious," writes Mr.. Finn, British consul at Jeru-
salem, he bad been resident in Jerusalem,
where from l84l to 1850, he had kept the only
English Hotel, and for the past seven years, had
turned his attention to agriculture in the afore-
said valley, where there was ruined village a
few patches Of ground wretchedly cultivated, and.
a copious, unfang spring of water, the whole
bounded by stony hills. There he leased patch
Of ground from the poor peasants. In process
Of time he leased another and another; built
rough walls around them, sowed kitchen vegeta-
bles and grain for the support of his family, and
for sale in Jerusalem. The valley began to as
sumo new aspect After this, he erected
stone cottage, and brought his wife and seven
children to reside there permanently in 1850,
adding stable and poultry house," &c.
He had trying difficulties to encounter from
the hostility of the wandering Arabs, who had
been accustomed to water their f1ocks at the
springs, who would sometimes stealhis property.
&c. These annovances are now ended, he hay-
ing conciliated the Arabs, by bringing down a
supply of water for their hocks beyond his fields,
and on various occasions stood their friend, as a
mediator in disputes with Others"
During the last spring, some individuals arr.
we'd in this valley from the United States, with
stores of tools, seeds, and money, to cooperate
with Mr.. Meshullam in his benevolent work
There they remain living mostly in, tents, and
laboring as cultivators Of the soil. We have no.,
ticed with interest, letters from some of their
number, published in the Sabbath Rec rider. ,
| Mr. Charles A. Minor has lately addressed a
letter to The Presbyterian, giving an account #
the abors of Mr.. Meshulam, their Influence in
his nation, etc. He gives, in the followingsPar-
agraph, testimony as to the fertility of the He
ly Land, which is worthy Of attention. He
says:
"In the varied positions of this land, each
fruit vegetable, and nearly every plant and flow
er of every cline, may spring forth and bear in
the greatest uxuriance The continued expert
ments of Mr.. Mesbullam, as we'll as our own
brief efforts on the capabilities of the soil and
|
ising results. There is scarcely mountain or
h however barren in its appearance, which
will not produce large growth of the best of
grapes, which, as a staple article of food one
third of the year, besides rasins and wins, yield
good profit. The olive, fig, almond, pome-
granate, ounce, and other trees of use will grow
everywhere on the most rugged hills; while on
the wide terraces, in the valleys and the plains,
the best qurlities of grain are grown, embracing
some varieties totally unknown in America; and
Yin those situations which can be irrigated, seve-
raj successive crops Of vegetables may be raised
annually. Mr.. Meshulam has raised three sue.
ccssive crops of American Indian corn during
the summer months, as it requires less than fifty
days from planting until harvest. Wesbase al
ready planted and gathered several kinds Of veg
etabes since our arrival. The sweet potatoes
(which we brought) have grown remarkably well
and promise, like our Indian corn, to furnish al
excellent staple food for this country"
Mr. Minor adds the following significant state
mcnt of the influence which this experiment is
working in the mirds of the Jews:
"a great change has recently taken place i'll
the feelings of those who reside in jerusalem
they have given up their strong prejudices, and,
disieeartlins a law of the Tamud, which forbade
them to labor in the soil, and having their minds
opened to the benefits of agriculture, and seeing
the safety with which Mr.. NJ, shullam and our
selves reside in the open country, andalso stmu-
lated by the fact of our coming from our distant
land to instruct and assist them, they have como
out to Artas, during the last month in large
numbers, with letters of recommendation and en-
treaty from different rabbis, begging Tin some
cases with tear) for employment for themselves
and also for scores of their poor brethren. On
being informed by Mr.. Mesbullam, that we were
unable to employ at present but a very few, they
again came out requesting permission to write
an appeal in Hebrew, which large numbers would
sign before any authority, expressive of their great
DESIRE and desired us to send it to our friends
abroad, to assist with funds, in order that we
may obtain sufficient land, implements, &C., to
enable large numbers at once to proceed in the
happy work of rearing their own vine and fig
tree in their own land.
1T is we'll known fact, that numbers in the
Holy City hare their minds partially enlightened
through the secret reading Of the gospel; and it
is undoubted, that this class compose those most
anxious to escape from the bondage and charity
support of the rabbis to the freedom of self
maintenance in country life. Some may ques-
ton their willingness and ability to labor; but
all those which we have employed, have proved
industrious, aud desirous to learn, and are often
men of intelligence, and, in all cases, willing to