Page 182 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Arabs expressed the views of the Sunni Kadis opposed the proposal because they
disliked losing control of the revenues of estates.
Several meetings were held and eventually a mixed committee of Sunnis and
Shias was appointed under the presidency of Shaikh Sulman bin Hamad with a
permanent clerical staff and an office in the Law courts building. Rules and
regulations were drawn up somewhat on the lines of the Department of minors in
Iraq and an account was opened with the Eastern Bank. The department
commenced to function in May 1938.
The main object of the Department has been whenever possible to invest the
inheritance of minors in immoveable property and to ensure that the property is
cared for. In cases where the funds are insufficient to invest in property the com­
mittee has allowed money to be lent out on interest provided that reliable mortgages
such as house property or gold ornaments are obtainable.
During the last ten months the sums dealt with by the Department amounted
to about Rs. 68,000. The staff of the Department is paid from state funds and the
president and the committee give their services voluntarily.

Agriculture.

Agricultural survey. In March 1938 K.B. Fateh Ud Din, Deputy Director
of Agriculture, Jullunder, visited Bahrain in order to advise the Bahrain Govern­
ment on the possibility of agricultural development. His services were made avail­
able by the Government of India who agreed to his proceeding to Bahrain on
deputation.
The Khan Bahadur spent over 2 months in Bahrain during which he had the
opportunity of making a thorough examination of the existing gardens and cultiva­
tion. Arrangements were made with owners to 6how him round their estates and
in this way he met and had talks with most of the local land owners.
During his visit he sent samples of soil from many different parts of Bahrain
for analysis in India in order to find out what crops could be raised and what
fertilizers should be used.
Another matter to which K. B. Fateh Ud Din gave attention was the
prevalence of date disease which did much injury to the date crop in 1356. He
recommended the Bahrain Government to employ an entomological expert for a
season in order to determine the exact nature of the disease and its cure. This
proposal was considered but was not adopted on the grounds of expense.
The Bahrain Government hoped that the agricultural expert’s visit
would produce tangible results as the total cost to the State was approximately
Rs. 8,500 Unfortunately up to the time of writing this note no report on
the result of the investigations has been received and the only advantage from the
expert’s visit has been a few suggestions and some advice verbally given by K. B.
Fateh Ud Din from time to time.
Government Experimental Garden. The experimental garden at Budeya
was considerably enlarged during the year and an artesian well was drilled in order
to give the garden its own water supply. The garden area is now about 5 acres.
Potatoes, barley and wheat were grown successfully during spring of 1938 as well as
a small quantity of sugar cane and ground nuts. In the autumn of 1938 potatoes
and grain crops were planted on a larger scalo and with equal success. Experiments
have been tried with planting swedes, mangel wurzles, sugar beet and other root
crops as well as the ordinary European vegetables which are known to succeed in
Bahrain.
General. His Highness Shaikh Hamed has continued to put more land
under the cultivation at Seddad, near Zellag. During the year thirteen artesian
wells were sunk and about 100 acres were planted with date trees and some lucerne.
During the three previous year about 80 acres of new land was cultivated.