'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎580] (671/905)

580
CULTIVATION IN ARABIA. [CHAP. XXII.
selves from its deleterious influence. They asserted also that
earthquakes are experienced in the country."
Time of sowing Wheat and barley are sown about the beginning of March,
corn " and towards the end of May or beginning of June they are
reaped ; but scarcely has the crop been housed (which takes
place about the middle of June) when the surface immediately
assumes^ that parched appearance which has been remarked
under similar circumstances in Iran. 1 But if we exclude the
sandy, the indurated, and the pebbly portions of the surface,
the soil is adapted for cultivation; the want of trees to preserve
moisture, and the scarcity of water being the chief obstacles
to the success of the agriculturist. The soil consists of good
clay, which becomes sufficiently productive whenever the
Arab turns his attention to husbandry, and to what is in such
countries its most indispensable branch, the management of
water. At present the supply of his flocks depends upon
wells, which are often at considerable distances from one
another, and not unfrequently on his arrival at one he is
denied the expected refreshment in consequence of the pre-
ProbabiHty of sence of another tribe. It is, however, more than probable, if
foSgationf 1 sufficient pains were taken, by sinking Artesian shafts, 2 that
&c - water would be found at a moderate depth throughout nearly
the whole of Arabia; and if a system of khanats like those
in 'Oman and Persia were to be added, so as to convey water
to a distance, in all probability a sufficient quantity would be
obtained not only to irrigate and fertilize many places which
at present are desert, but even to renew the productive state
which existed at a former period. At this day cultivation is
found round Doom and the three villages of Taifie, Jerood,
and Attane, on the caravan route between Damascus and Pal
myra. On the same route there is also Karyatein, which is
sheltered by trees, well watered, and contains about 800
houses. Even round Palmyra itself there is much ground
under tillage; and besides what is observed in Arabia Felix,
Oman, &c., in parts of Arabia Petrsea, at the distance of four
1 See above, pp. 78, 79.
2 Such as those described in Buckland's treatise on Geology and Mine
ralogy, vol. I., p. 568.