The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-10-24
PALESTINE VINEYARDS.
Jewish COlOnists Revive an Ancient
Industry of the Holy Land.
From the London standal

From the London Standard.
The account of the trade of Palestine
during the last year, given in the Con-
sular report just issued, is fairly hope
full, though neither the exports nor the
imports reach the level attained in 1889.
The prosperity of the country depends
still, as it always has done, and most
probably always will do, upon the fruits
of the earth. Centuries before the pre-
sent era corn and wine and oil were
among the chief boons of the 'promis-
ed land" and though we hear little
now of the first the other two are re-
gaining their ancient reputation. To
melons, which also were valued in an
cient days, a new fruit has been ad-
ded-the orange. This, indeed, and the
grape are now the most important pro-
ducts of Palestine, though the exports
of the former have declined consider
ably in value during the last few years.
Jafta oranges, however, maintain their
reputation, so that it may be hoped
that the depression is only temporary
Southern Palestine has always been
noted for it's Vineyards; it was Judah
who bound his foal to the vine and
washed his clothes in the blood of the
grapes"
OF the principal Jewish colonies in
the Jaffa district Richon-le-S Pc
tach-Tikvas and Ekron, on the sup
posed site of the Philistine city, which
last received the fatal trophy of the
Ark, the first is the chief one for grape
growing. A fourth colony, Sarona, also
near Jaffa, is German. In all these agri-
culture, and especially every thing con-
nected with wine making, is conducted
on scientific principles, and the first
on To- haxy oil fa,eN%
centres in the trade. Richo- le-Sio has
excellent works and machinery for the
manufacture of wine, and great under
ground cellars for its storage. These
last year contained about 1,100, 900 gal
Ions, in addition to a considerable
quantity which is always kept in depot
at Hamburg. Two kinds are especially
in demand-a red wine, like a dry
claret, and a dry white wine, rather
of the nature of sauterne. The Germans
of Sarona make wines of a good quality
though in less abundance. They be-
stow characteristic care on the pro-
cesses and turn out a large number of
varities-a red and white muscat, red
wine like affenthaler, a red alicante"
and two other white wines-reisling
and sarona. All, we are told, compare
favorably with the common French
and italian wines, and are beginning
TO ma tnelr way 10 Europe, pfODaDly
appearing in wine lists under French,
or, occasionally, German names.
There is an excellent prospect, there
fore. that the vineyards of Palestine
may once more be of note. as in the
olden days. Many parts of the land
seem to be naturally adapted to grape
growing, although the industry has for
long been neglected, partly, perhaps,
because the Koran frowns upon the
vine. One traveller speaks of a vine
near Acre, the branches of which
| formed shelter more than thirty feet
| broad and long, and bore punches
weighing ten or twelve pounds. The
late Dean Stanley describes, as one
| popularity of Judea, the abundance
OF the terraced vineyards, with their
watch towers and WALL Just as they
were for centuries before the fall of
Jerusalem. But in those days the Gull
| ture of the vine was far more general
| than now; it extended south of the
| boundary of Judea into the region pos
sessed by Simeon, and the late Profess
sor Palmer tells us how he saw even
| in the arid Negeb. or south country,
the signs of former vineyards. The
revival of the ancient industry in this
and other fruits is largely due to the
! Jewish colonies which have been plant
| ed by the liberality of their wealthy
coreligionists. and the success of their
efforts at once TO help their own people
and to make Palestine again land to
| be desired is a matter of hearty con-
| graduation.