Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-25
AQrltultnral.



Two years ago, an effort was made in new
line to ameliorate the condition Of the inhabit-
ants of Palestine. Seven Americans, with
improved plows and other tools, and American
seeds, located upon piece Of land seven miles
from Jerusalem, one mile from Bethlehem,
and made preparations for farming after the
American system.
Their location was in the valley of Artos,
upon the very site Of one of the gardens OF
Solomon.
Their friends in the city were much opposed
to their going out there to reside, urging them,
if they were determined to try t9 cultivate the
soil, to keep their residence in the city, fer
fear Of the Arabs This did not suit their
plans, and they took up their residence upon
their lands and commenced operations, plow-
ing deep with one of our best plows, harrow
ing with an iron-toothed harrow, such as was
never seen there before, and planting corn, po-
tatoes' beans, peas, oats, barley, wheat, and
all sorts of garden vegetables in short, max
ing perfect American farm.
The operations, instead of exciting the jeal-
OuSly vi tue hldun, dIouseu tHeHl W IL STATE Vi
surprise, and the news of what the Americans
at Soomon's were doing, and the wonderful
tools they were using, and how peaceable and
quiet they were, never saying anything about
their religion, flew on the wings Of the wind,
visitors came to look and wonder. The
rapid manner in which the smith heated his
iron, and hammered it into just such a shape
as he desired, was beyond the comprehension
of the supplemented people.
One day the farm received a visit from
twenty-five Sheiks, who inspected the tools,
and the way they we're used, and the effect
they produced and looked at the growing crops
so much beyond everything they had ever
seen Beforehand then turned their heads to-
gether to consult upon the wonders they had
witnessed. The conclusion was that the PEG.
pie must possess very superior kind Of re-
ligion, as that is the standard upon which they
base all their estimates Of character They
made applications at once for several Of their
sons to serve as apprentices to learn Ameri-
can farming, and did not even object that they
should be taught the American religion for
surely, said they, it must be better for them to
cultivate such a fruitful soil than starve in the
city, as many Of them have done, and they
begin to apply for situations as laborers, no;-
withstanding that the priests always taught
them that it was derogatory to the national
character Of the Hebrews But, under the
protection Of the American farmers, the Arabs
will permit them to labor. and it is now d mat.
ter OF serious discussion among those who
, know of the success Of this enterprise, wheath.
er the most feasible plan for colonizing the
Jews in Palestine is not to make them cult.
vators Of its rich soil.
Owing to some difficulty which arose ia re.
gard to the title Of the land they commenced
upon in the valley Of Artos, the little colony
/, moved last year to the Plains of Sharon
where they have got permanent location
and the number consists now Of ten Ameri
cans, male and female, and two Germans.
One Of the number was in our office few
days since, from whom we derived these facts
lie speaks in most encouraging terms of the
success OF the agricultural project, and ult
mately, by that means, Of an influence upor
the inhabitants, that will result in great good
This effort has been made through the lib.
erallty of a few Christians in this city, auc
by tho same spirit that actuated the first mo-
vers in the work, immense benefits may b.
conferred upon that country All that il
wanted to make il desirable country for the
emegrants Of Europe, is an increase of tn,
present colony sufficient to form nucleus OIL
relying point, and more extended operations
and gradual drawing in of the resident pop
lation to adopt the same modes of producing
the varied and profitable products of the soil
i-GrGnite Farmer.