Page 221 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

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AGRICULTURE,

j>ponFimT of an agriculturist. Towards the middle of the
yesr the government obtained the services of an agriculturist

;j. Said Abdul I\rour, fro:-- the experimental farm at Rustum,
Baghdad, a department of the Iraq Ministry of Agriculture,
Unfortunately owing to lack of funds this year his v/ork
has been somewhat restricted, Attempts were made to start

an experimental garden, Major Holmes advised the government
that water would probably be found by boring on the plain at
Aali v/hich is a very suitable area for cultivation and has

particularly good soil. Three attempts were made but only
a small quantity of ?/ater was obtained 8t 300 feet and it was
strongly impregnated with sulphur, An area of about 60,000
sq. feet is now under cultivation and experiments are being

cade in growing cotton, vegetables, potatoes etc. The first
sowing of cotton failed to germinate but the vegetables, corn

etc. grew fairly well in spite of frequent incursions by
csnels and donkeys belonging to the Ehalifah Shaikhs.
TEACHING OF AGRICULTURE. Lessons in practical and theoretical

agriculture are being given in the schools and once a week the
boys ere taken out to Aali where they work themselves in the
garden, preparing the ground, putting in seeds and learning

tow various crops should be planted. The lessons are very
popular.
jt-TE SEASON. The date crop this ye ex wss extremely bad owing
tc frequent swarms of locusts which attacked the trees and

devoured the young shoots. H. E. Shaikh Hamed on account of
this issued a proclamation ordering all tenants who had sustained
damage to inform the government within a certain time.

* committee'-of Sunnis and Shias was appointed to visit all the
Ardens and investigate the complaints and according to their
Assessments a proportion was deducted from the leases of all
*ose who complained. The government’s aotion was much resen-^*

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