River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-08-08
u HE district of Palestine which
contains the greatest posi-
hilifv of rand develOnment

bility of rapid development
under a settled government
is the basin Of the Jordan. Here, in
this great and unique chasm and it's
tributary valleys, we have abundant
water, a rich alluvial soil, and a semi
tropical climate, a combination which
under scientific direction should pro-
duce astonishing results. For centu-
ries the resources of this region have
been neglected, writes DR.. e. w. G..
Masterman in the Sphere.
In the north, the fertile plain Of the
Huleh, traversed by the four tributary
streams Of the Jordan, is capable with
little engineering Of receiving irriga-
ton in every part. In some districts,
at the head of the valley where this
has been done, very striking results
have been obtained. In this district
fred" rice is now cultivated. At the
further end of the plain lies the marsh
and shallow lake of Ell Huleh. Here
probably a good deal of land might be
recovered for cultivation by drainage.
This was done to some extent a few
years ago by deepening the bed of the
Jordan a mile or two below the lake,
and much marsh land was recovered.
To the south and west Of the Huleh
are splendid corn lands, hence the
lakes second name, Baheiret ell Khait,
the 'Lake of the Wheat"
In the Huleh valley a" whole, rice,
maize, hemp, and probably cotton could
all be profitably cultivated, while other
parts might be planted with poplars
for timber, and with apricot and peach
orchards, as is done with similar lands
around Damascus.
The district Of rocky, volcanic hill
slopes between the Huleh and the Lake
of Galilee is scarcely likely to afford
scope for irrigation, but in the great
descent Of the Jordan, $50 feet in nine
miles, there exists an economical
source of power sufficient to produce,
if properly utilized, all the electrical
energy needed for public and private
use for many miles around.
To the north of the Lake Of Galilee
lie the two fertile and easily irrigated
plains, Ell Bataihah-the Jordan delta
and Ell Ghuweir, or Gennesaret. OF
this latter Josephus writes: Extend
ing along the Lake Of Gennesaret, and
bearing also It's name, lies tract of
country admirable both for it's natural
properties and it's beauty. Such is the
fertility of the soil that it rejects no
plant, and accordingly all are here cul-
tivated by the husbandmen; for so
genial is the air that it suits every
variety. The walnut, which delights
beyond other trees in wintry climate,
grows here luxuriantly, together with
the palm, which is nouriShed by the
heat; and near to these are figs and
olives, to which a milder climate is as.
signed"
Fish Supply Of Gennesaret.
Gennesaret is watered by several
streams, some of which in the deep
valleys through which they emerge
support groves of lemons, oranges, and
other trees. They also supply mum.
Der Of mills. With proper scheme
the abundant water reaching this plain
might be distributed to every part, an6
the district be thus restored to con
dition at least as fruitful as that de
scribed by Josephus as existing in Ro
man times. Jewish colonists have al
ready in parts Of the district greatly
added to its productivenesS. All along
the northern shore, where some Of the
springs feeding the lake are warm, the
fishing is specially good; but, indeed
| the waters Of the Huleh, Of the Lake
| of Galilee, and Of the Jordan Itself
| abound in fish Of which the larger
varieties are all wholesome and pala
table. The fishing industry has not We
been exploited for the benefit Of thu
public.
Debouching upon the lake from
both east and west are several valley
which in their lower reaches contain
| streams that can be utilized for irriga
| ton. and in their higher parts in man,
| instances contain rapidly descendin!
| torrents, even in some places water
falls, suitable for supplying mechani
| cal power. The greatest of these /
the Yarmuk valley, up which the Half
| railway ascends toward Damascus
This is the Heiromax of the Greeks
and here shortly before the vale
opens into the main Jordan vale
there is a group oe hot sulphurou
springs, amid which lie the ruins
the baths and theater of the Greek sci
Element of Amatha, a health resort TO
the great city, Gadara, whose abunc
| art ruins crown the mountains i'm