Page 533 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

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POLITICAL AOENCT FOR 1878*79.
besidknot AND MUSKAT
well and is seen
The almond, with its broad and coloured leaves, grows
t0 The citron growf well in n garden now under Shaikh Ahmed, I saw
of goldoo fniit
many acres -

These were
Somo 20 inchca or inoro iu circurn- themselves were covered with soentea
iW.
fcrcuco. blossom as well as fruit.
The tamarind flourishes, having probably been imported from India.
Dato Palm. Peach. .
Vine. Tamarind. I give a general list in the
Citron margin, but perhaps not quite
T'*'
Pomegrnnate. Apricot.
Almond. Bair. Mulberry. a full one.
Tlie castor oil plant, that hardy invader of every eastern soil, flourishes
here as elsewhere. # #
Lucern grass is very largely cultivated, and (with dates) is about the
only food-supply grown or used for the animals of this island.
Were the least attention given to this branch of agriculture, almost
every known vegetable could be produced here, as the climate is good for
at least six months out of the twelve, and water is abundant.
Animals.—The list of animals is not a large one; camels, horses, cows
and donkeys (with the inevitable eastern dog) are to be found in different
parts of the island. All these feed principally upon lucern, supplemented
with dates.
The camels are mostly from Arabia, though they are now bred here
in the marshes. A few good ones for riding purposes are owrned by the
Shaikhs. These feed even when going at a sharp trot, giving the
unaccustomed rider an odd feeling of helplessness, as the long neck
disappears in front and the head becomes mixed up with the animals*
legs. This feeling is soon replaced by one of implicit confidence when
you get accustomed to the acrobatic performance and And that no harm
comes of it.
The horses, all rejoicing in some high sounding tribal or family name,
appear to me, with the exception of some old brood mares, to have been
crossed with an inferior breed. They stand unused and unclothed and
uncared for, summer and winter, in the same place, and eat their dates and
lucern contentedly. Breeding is carried on from the most unsound and
helpless cripples, some of whom can barely stand from disease; and as the
colts get little or no exercise, the result of the breeding arrangement*
cannot be very satisfactory &
The Shaikhs are, of ,urse, the only owners, and consider their
^iT\lnpple» 40 ** 01. enormous value. It is not worth while to
undeeme them, as no one in his senses would think of burin* one.
nnr™ COWS Were f?“ed and are BtiU e00*1* l»t the race is dying out as
no poor man or cultivator can keep them.
The white donkeys were famed but are few and far hetwAAn
except those owned by the Shaikhs and a few big men. ™ ’
;ey are,n.ot “fine m those I hare seen in Persia, and a much hiofco.

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