New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-06-09
THE AGRICUL TURE OF PALESTINE.

In no mart of the civilized world where productive
soil aboupds the condition of agriculture at lower
ebb than in the country about Jerusalem. Tbs city Ii
LARGELY inhabited by Jews many of whom are pensioners
of ther brethren in all the rest of the world They are
misorably poor INDECENT and without employment The
country round about possession OF the Arabs VINO nate
the Christians much and the Jews more The Arabs, are
the worst farmers in the world Their implements of hu
b.ndry are so rude ard primitive that sample OF them
would surprise even cotton-panter OF South Carolina
Its supposed by many that the lands OF Palestine are
generally of the poorest character for the purpose OF the
Iusbondmsn Nothing could be further from the truth
Tie country possesses great diversity of climate owing
TO he variation in elevation The Valley OF the Jordan at
tLe level Of the Dead Sea- is feet below the Medltena
neap willie the Mountain of Lebanon rises above the line
nj ncrretual snow which at 800 feet above the sea-
60 that here ia eternal winter while the Valley Of theOor
dan e perpetual tropical climate and between these va
riaops of altitude there all the varieties OF productions
of the temperate The soil is generally acacareous
ght-colored loan in the interior particularly near Jeru
salem and near the sea shore II Of dark red loam and
on the plains Of Sharon very productive, yielding three
crors wear Of such things viii rpen within that space
The soil produces good wheat end corn oats, potatoes
&c. abort equal to the average crops of Connecticut
Cotton has been produced here in quality and product
per acre equal to the best upland plantations in this
scouuTy.-
Fruit sf various kinds grows 10 great perfection The
grapes in particular are very superior while peaches
uonegranates aprcos plus, olives, hgs, oranges, and
melons are rich and abundant.
Altogether. the climate and SOIL and the productions,
make il A most desirable country for residence The
rich lands near Jafa can be bought for sum equal to
obou; six or eight dollar an English acre
To all this there is a drawback, which has heretofore
deferred settlers from seeking home there who know no"
70 appreciate and cultivate such soil and make the pro-
drctor profitable and homes in such climate pleasant
and beautiful The country in possession of the Arabs
who in point of civilization are but small remove above
the wild Indians of this continent.
From tine to time missionary efforts have been made IN
Palestine both BY English and Americans with one UNI
vorsa degree Of succossthat was to make no converts
but ember the bigots against those who were trying 10
tell them Of a better religion than their own.
Two vears ago an effort made in new line TO ae-
orae the condition of the inhabitants Of Palestine seven
Americans. with improved plows and other TOOLS ana
American seeds located upon piece of land seven mics
from Jerusalem one mile from Bethlehem, ana nade
preparations for farming after the American SYSTEM
Their location was in the valley Of Artos upon tie very
site of one Of the gardens Of Solomon
Their friends in the city were much opposed to their 60
ing out there to reside urging them if they were deter-
ped TO try 10 cultivate the SOIL keep their residence in
The city for fear If the Arabs This did not suit their
plans and they took up their residence upon The lana ana
commenced operations, blowing deep with one oil our best
pows narrowing with ron-toothed harrow, such Is
was lever seen there before and planting conn., potatoes
beans peas oats barley wheat and all sorts Of garden
Vegetables in short meblng perfect American farm