Page 64 - A Hand book of Arabia Vol 1 (iii) Ch 4,5

I jTRICTS AND TOWNS 127

which are unknown elsewhere in Hejaz, falling heavily in the
^"/'"•’autumn. Water is obtained from abundant springs and brooks,
'iir principal stream, the Seil, being beautifully clear but lukewarm,
ivvond the reach of the brooks irrigation is carried on from shallow
. * t jie water being drawn by small Arabian oxen. The population,
hmifc 5,000, are in the main settled members of the Beni Thaqif and
\tcibah tribes. They are principally occupied in tending fruit-trees
■ulfl vines in the gardens some 2 miles to the SW. and NE. of the
town, in spaces of fertile soil at the foot of the hills. In the fields
nt. the end of a valley to the NE. is a village, El-Wahab.

The vines, for which Ta’if is famous, do not lie loosely on the soil,
but are bound to stakes. Apricot and pomegranate-trees bear
abundantly, and some olive-trees have been introduced from Syria.
The palm does not thrive at Ta’if, where both the water and soil are
sweet; but roses are extensively cultivated, and their blossoms are
transported to Mecca, where attar (catr) is distilled, the precious per­

fume which is carried by the pilgrims throughout the Mohammedan
world. The Ateibah Arabs supply the town with mutton, and a
white curd cheese is brought in by the Qoreish. Fruit ahd vegetables
from the gardens are sent in considerable quantities to Mecca and
Jiddah.

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