The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07

in Topography and Climate.
While the western world has never
lacked interest in the history. tradition,
and ancient splendOr of Palestine. it has
not been until recent years that any
systematic effort has been put forth to
explore that country with view to find
ing out the fruits. cereals. and other
plants which made its agriculture in an
Client days the wonder Of the world
It was left for the United States De-
partment Of Agriculture TO undertake an
economic exploration in that country
which promises results Of even greater
value. specially 10 our own country than
all the findings Of expeditions which have
gone thither in pursuit of the dead civ
ilizatlons of Palestine and adjacent parts
Of Asia.
A bulletin recently issued by the de-
partment says the Orient still remains
almost unexplored and unknown Is to
its agriculture treasures, and economic
! explOrat ton rather than scholarly re-
search is needed 70 make that land
known and its value appreciated. and 10
secure for the United States useful sgTi-
cultural treasures.
There are to be found some Of the
best cultivated varieties, developed By
the combined Efforts of man and nature
for thousands OF years; and there, also,
are almost all OF the wild types which
prehistoric ancestors utilized in produc-
ing the cultivated crops OF our time.
Report on Useful Plants.
The report deals especially with the
useful plants which should be intro
duced into the West and Southwest from
that portion Of the Orient known as
Palestine. Already the Smyrna fig and
Thompson's seedless grape. among the
/ fruits, Kerson oats and hard Russia and
\ Turkey wheats, among cereals. have been
( introduced into the Unite9 States and
I have made Il possible 70 extend cultiva-
ton to regions heretofore untitled. and it
/ IS believed that what has been done in
this direction is but beginning.
Seasons Are Similar.
Palestine closely resembles California
except in extent Of area. Il is practi-
/ cally a California reduced about one
twentieth in size, but markedly similar
in generally topography. climate. vegeta-
ton. agricultural and economic possibi-
tiles. Like California, Palestine is long
est from north 70 south II has high
mountains and deep depressions Pass
ing from west 10 east there is the lit
toral region along the coast. the ZOns
or hills and plateaus, then the long val
lev in each, while farther east are fertile
plateaus. finally turning into arid or
desert lands Each has a dry. warm
season. and a humid and more tem-
perate one Palestine is even more
favored than California with regard 10
I winter temperature, for although, as IN
California. the Thermometer rises high in
summer. 1t rarely drops in the winter 10
the freezing point. Snow is rare even in
the plateaUs. and farmers in almost all
parts Of the Holy Land are safe from
any damage from frost.
Obviously enough. the list Of fora OF
this small territory OF Palestine includes
approximately the same number Of spe-
cIes as that of California-about 5000
In both sections evergreen shrubs pre-
dominate. The same forms of vegetation.
often the same genera. are found on
Mount Tamalpais. Cal. and Mount Car
mel, Palestine; the marquis formation
Of Palestine Is to be compared TO the
chapaTral and chamiso OF California: and
the forms Of vegetation OF the Lebanon
and the Hermon mountains are much the
same as those OF the western slope OF
the Sierras. This analogy OF the fora
OF Palestine with that OF California jus
titles the expectations Of the best results
from their introduction into that State.
Some Old World Fauna.
Among a large number Of wild species
and varieties found in Palestine is the
wild emmer. from which our cultivated
types Of wheat and related cereals seem
TO have been derived. The author OF the
paper found large areas on the slopes OF
Mount Hermon covered with this cereal
and 1t was found growing near an east
ern branch OF the Jordan, 500 feet below
sea level. and upon the slopes OF the
mountain, $500 feet above sea level, or
in the zone OF alpine plants. BY selee-
ton and crossing OF this wild cereal.
which prefers poor, rocky, shallow. dry
soil. and thrives without any cultivation.
Il is thought possible 10 produce new
races which viii be very persistent and
very hardy. and 10 extend the cutiva-
ton Of wheat 10 regions where, on &C
count OF the low quality OF the soil and
the severity OF the climate. It is at pres
ent impossible TO produce 1t.
The study OF this and other wild types
of our cereal does not confine itself 10 a
merely botanical and historical end, but
becomes intensely practical as an eco
nonic, even social problem. as its ultimate
aim Is 10 produce a little more bread at
a little less expense. and to render this
production possible where. up to the
present time It has been impossible.
Live Stock Shipments.
Live stock recelpfs during lime a sew