Page 166 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

56 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Caravan versus river route.—The river route seems unable to comtx*t
with the caravan in the case of native-owned goods, as there are no du^
levied after leaving Dizful until arrival at Mohammcrah, whereas by ruT
there are customs leviable at 8hushtor and dues to river Chiefs amounting to
seven shillings per chest opium or balo piece-goods. European-owned goods
do not pay these dues.
Caravan rates.—The caravan rate is 7 krans (3s. 6d.) per cwt. and 6 krani
(2s. 6d.) per chest opium.
Caravans from Howeizeh bring ghee and rice, arriving about once in twen­
ty days.
Agriculture.
Wheal.—In the Karon district there was a total failure of crops owing to
want of rain. Prospects of crops for next harvest are good; but there is less
ground under cultivation than usual owing to scarcity of seed and poverty of
cultivators.
Dates.—The date crop was an average one and better than last year. The
price was five shillings per one hundred and sixty pounds.
The dates grown at Mohammerah are not of the best varieties, and are un­
suitable for European markets.
Many more trees could be grown if waste lands are cultivated.
Cotton.—Cotton is grown in the Shushter district about sixty-four to
eighty tons annually. The larger portion is consumed locally in the manufac­
ture of quilts, which is a flourishing industry in Shushter.
Opium.—Opium is grown in small quantities in the Dizful district, and
more could be grown.
There is a large amount of wool produced in Kbuzestan of fair quality;
about 15 per cent, only is white. Some is exported to JBussorah where there are
presses, the rest gees to Bander Deelum for Bushire.
Natural products.—Bugloss and reeds (for native pens) grow wild in the
Dizfal district*
Population.
The population of Mobammerah is about 3,500; about half are natives of
Bahrain. The increase is due to immigration from districts where trade was
bad or property insecure, and from Turkish territory to avoid conscription.

WORK8.
Telegraph.—On 30th April the telegraph line to Bushiro was completed
opening communication with all stations, in Persian only.
Post.—In July a regular postal service was established to Shushter and
Khoremabad. Letters from Tehran take twenty-three days.
A British Indian post office was opened in July for letters for India, etc.,
by sea.
Buildings.—The telegraph office at Sahebkerani having been destroyed by
floods, a new one was built in the town, where the arsenal has also ©©n
rebuilt A house for this Vice-Consulate is being built at the junction o ©
rivers Karan and Shatel Arab, and has been occupied since July.

Note.—In the accompanying returns the exchange is calculated at krans 40 to the £ sUrUoE*