Page 231 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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(d) Agriculture. (ce ne ra 1)
A satisfactory harvest wa3 obtained, ov/lnp to a
winter of abundant rainfall; but the aren sown was less
than would otherwise have been the case, owinr: to the
lack of seed corn caused by the drought of the -.rccodinp
year. The Persian Government's distribution of seed
was limited to the Shabankareh area, and if the Government
of India had not come to the rescue v/ith a consignment of
1,064 tons of seed wheat, of which 360 tons were allotted
to the Jushire area, famine conditions would have prevailed
afain in 1643.
Thd date crop was of avernre cuality. It was
almost entirely consumed locally, cwiiv: to lack of trans­
port; and some stocks still regain on hand.
J6CTICM VII
3::iP"i'fo g co;: .

(a) Jurinr the first nart-of the year imports
consisted very largely of war supplies. ■ Other imports
we re limited by the world, su only situation, and towards
the end of the year also by lac': of shipping. Trade
was to a minor extent maintained by sailin'7 craft; but
the normal exports of country produce ( oninm, rum,wool
hides anc* attar) were rreatly diminished.
(b) A total of 30 British ships, with a tonr.ave
of 78,471 tons celled at the port during the year; and
9 foreign ships with a tonna'e of 35,c.49 tons.
(c) Internal transport rates increased very
sharply owin'- to the country's short?of lorries and
tyres. Duri-r* the period cf the year when t-.c
-.•ere operatin'- here, their contrrctcd lorries helped
to move civil sunilies: but r.t the end of the -'ear, all
trsr.srcrt was taken into the control of the .toad Jrr.'n'ort
Department of the Persian over ' :c..nt, - r.*. "orchanta fc *.r
themselves virtually *v.vble to forward their roods, f'.is
stopoa'-e of leritimntc trade has undoubted!” led to
increased speculation.
(d ) Ir. spite of the shortage of :otor tr- ns 'ort,
litt?.e effort -vac wade by 'fie Persian Government or
merchants to revive the# old ( hut not so old) system oi
anir.a 1 caravans. This :*.*;y tartly be set down to changed
ideas, partly to t!:e insecurity of t’->e roads and tartly
to the dearth of orch and cart animals caused by the nrru'.it
of 1?41 -2, when thousands of animals died for .the lack of
fodder.
(e) The cost of living increased violently durin"
the year, and at the end of the year the Residency was
obliged to issue oay and rations to the value of us. 8P/-
to its lowest raid menials ( ferrashes and sweepers). Gome
idea of the rise in the cost of commodities may be gained
from the following7 t^ble:-
Ofist Jji Jiials-Jl^r. ::iloy_ram.

December 1032 December 1043.
:!eat (mutton) 2.25 20
Ghee 1*0 67.50
Rice 3 20
Tea 44 160
3urar 4 95
Flour .00 3
Barley .60 4.50