The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-29

VVh "ohths OF tne year. grapes were much
cultivated throughout the land. The vine,
were pruned and dug about, and the wine wa,
used both before and after fermentation. II
was always first filtered, and. for common
drinking, diluted with water. The luxurious
prepared II with spices. Drunkenness was NOT
one OF the national sins OF Israel. Among other
alcoholic liquors known In Palestine. we may
mention one made from barley. sailor, and
falt; another sweet, or honey wine, and especially
date wine. a highly n%utritive and agreeable. but
very intoxicating beverage. made by first
squeezing out the Juice Of dntos and thon mac
Grating tho residue in water. The fructihca-
tlon Of the date palms was artificial, and their
culture required some care. Another source OF
wealth to the ngriculturlst was the Juice which
certain plants and trees yielded. especially the
balsam plant, which grew in Gilend and In tho
neiRhborhood OF Jericho. II rose to the neigh
borhood OF five feet, and rcsembled the vine.
The Juice. which was obtained by small incis-
Ions. was preserved in new carthen vessels. At
first thin md white, II gradually became thick
and red. BY n similar process the myrrh tree
yielded its myrrh, the storax tree its storax,
&c. In the gardens, orchards. and even by the
waysidc. tho more common fruits. such as the
apple. tho pear. the pomegrannte. the mulberry,
ana the almond grew In abundance. In high
situations, or very sandy soil, the ground was
cultivated In terraces, which were surrounded
by stone walls. The law carefully protected
agricultural property and pursuits. Watchmen
In regular lodges guarded the ripe fruits. but
were not allowed to prevent passers by from TAX
Ing so much grain or fruit ~ was requisite for
Immediate personal use. Tho best grain was
got from the neighborhood Of Michmash. in tho
inheritance OF Benjamin, to the northeast OF
Jerusalem, and from ChOrazim in Ga,ilee. The
treasurer OF tho Temple tested the quality OF
the flour by thrusting his hands into II. IL any
adhered. the flour had to be again sifted. The
Inheritance OF the tribe OF Asher produced the
greatest quantity OF oil. and Tekoa, two hours
south OF Bethlehem, the finest quality. Next to
it was that of Regab. OH the eastern bank of the
Jordan, almost on n line with Shechan. There
were three kinds of oil. and OF each kind three
qualities, according as it was extracted from the
first ripe olives, from those which grew about
the middle OF the tree. or from those which
were unfortunately gathered and allowed
to lie till they were nearly putrid, and
prepared either by mere pressure OF the hand
or under boards or stones. or by macerating
machines. The best wine came from kerochim.
situated perhaps in the mountainous country OF
Judea, and from Hetolim. probably north OF
GilGal. The next best came from Beth Rimah.
and from Beth Laban, also situated in the
mountainous districts. So much for agricul-
ture. We should not forget to mention that a
large proportion OF a Hebrew farmers wealth
consisted in his herds and fiocks. While from
the character of the soil certain kinds Of cattle
we're more generally reared in certain districts.
others, such rs unclean animals, were entirely
interdicted Fowls were not allowed to be kept
in Jerusalem, or by priests any here. on ac-
count of certain laws connected with purih-
cation. For the same reason they were usually
kept at a distance from towns. The dog was a
despised animal, only to be kept on a chain.
Small On flo a roll ,biap ~ in Gyria al an
the extensive plains which constituted q great
part OF what wero termed the wiidernesses of
Palestine. such as the neighborhood Of Engedi,
of Beersheba. ofJericho. ofGideon. of Bethsaida.
&c. Although these districts were not cuiti-
waited. they afforded excellent pasturaget to the
large focks which browsed there all summer.
and which at night were sheltered in the folds.
Watch towers. occupied by armed men. pro-
tected them from the predatory excursions
OF hostile neighbours; and large cisterns.
or wells, which became filled in the
rainy season.. supplied them with water.
In the beginning of November the fiocks were
driven TO their stablings, and kept there till the
spring months. On the western side of Jordan,
the plains OF sharon afforded the best fodder.
The uses to which oxen were put were manifold.
Besides serving for sacrifices and for food. they
were employed in ploughing, for carriage, and
for thrashing. Instead of the whip. n point
ed stick or goad, sometimes armed with Iron,
was used. Tho milk OF cows. goats, sheep, and
camels was either used sweet, or allowed to
sour. Butter and cheese were articles in COM
mon use. The cattle were fed on grass and
herbs. and In winter on dried grass and chopped
straw, mixed with other ingredients. and a
small quantity Of salt. The wool of sheep was
either Immediately spun in the family OF the
farmer or sold to the merchant. The dung was
generally dried and used for fuel. Horses and
mules were usually imported from abroad.