Page 394 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

2G% ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL RESIDENCT

in recent years for export, hence to India this conjecturo may not
be far amiss. It is to be noted that no other descriptions of precious
stones or perns are largely exported from the Gulf. The annual value
of tin* outturn may he put at at least bGU0,(>00 approximately. Captain
Durand, 1st Assistant Resident, has drawn up an interesting memorandum
on the subject of the pearl fisheries,
Ap]H.'n(Hx A.
which will be found in the Appendix.
7. Bute culture.—The introduction of the date palm into India
from the Persian Gulf, which was first attempted in 18G8, seems to
have been attended with success, and may eventually prove important.
The measure was originated under the auspices of the Chief Commis­
sioner in Oude, and subsequently the Conservator of Forests in Mysore
and Coorg was supplied with plants. Some shoots have recently been
forwarded from Basrah for experiment iu Rajpootana, which seems to
be a climate well adapted for the growth of the palm. A memorandum
on the subject of the'culture of the date palm drawn up by Mr. J.
C. Edwards, 2nd Assistant Resident,
Appendix B. is appended as likely to be of general
use and interest.
8. Impediments to development of trade in Persia.—The diffi­
culties in the way of the foreign merchants trading in South Persia
are subject of frequent comment, and their complaints are of both, a
general and special nature. The absence of system in the adminis­
tration, the want of sympathy between the governing and subject
classes, and other circumstances combine to restrict the development
of the resources of the country. Industries arc abandoned in despair,
lands lie untilled, perhaps because the headmen fear to attract attention
to the capabilities of their districts. The pastoral nomads or iliats of
the south create insecurity and openly plunder the settled peasantry
with impunity. A gentleman happening recently to witness a horde
of Arab 11s coolly reaping the grain sown by the villagers of a district,
on asking the nomads, was informed that it was God’s will the |>oor
should till the land for the braver class, and that so far from this being
robbery they were simply supplying their necessities, “Sic vos non
vobis mcllificatis apes.”
(Sd.) E. C. Ross, Lieut.-Col.,
Resident, Persian Gulf