'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎78v] (161/470)

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Fruit. —Gardens near Hillah are numerous, and there is scope for a considerable
extension of fruit cultivation. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs, and plums are
grown, but the varieties are poor, and the introduction of better kinds would be
welcomed.
Dates. —The date harvest was successful. It would be interesting to know
what are the commercial prospects of this crop. The people, if left to themselves,
will certainly extend the area under palms, but I have no information as to what the
demand for dates will be in the future, whether it is likely to increase, or whether
it would be better to turn the minds of cultivators towards other crops. I would
like to know whether there are any prospects of manufacturing sugar from dates.
Shitwi. —The shitwi harvest was a good one, though in Mahawil some lands were
flooded, and there was a certain amount of damage from locusts. In certain areas
wild oats are prevalent, and I would be glad to know what steps are recommended
by expert opinion for the removal of this growth. A good deal of the land is “ tired ”
from overcultivation, due in some cases to the condition requiring those who received
advances to sow all their land. Presumably the remedy for this is rotation of crops,
and it would be interesting to know whether the sugar beet could be grown and
whether it would provide the necessary rotation. If the Agricultural Department
considers the beet to be a suitable crop, and is prepared to start a small sugar factory An East India Company trading post.
on a demonstration farm, I do not think there would be any difficulty in inducing
the quick-minded Arab to take up the cultivation. I hope that it will be possible
to supply A.P.O.s with more information as to the possibilities of new crops and the
commercial value of all produce, and with close co-operation between agricultural and
Political Officers, together with practical demonstrations, I do not doubt that the
introduction of new crops will be easy.
Saifi. —The saifi crop was on the whole successful, though rotation between the
Hillah and Hindiyah channels decreased the supply of water available. The
assessed demand and collections for each kind of grain are given in Appendix A.
Cattle. —Ploughing in the district is carried out partly by oxen and partly by
horses. The supply of the former is not excessive, and has been decreased by
purchases on account of the Army, which, I trust, will now diminish. Applications
have been received for 24 Government bullocks. A suggestion that ploughing by
buffaloes should be popularised by naming an animal after the Political Officer, was
not received with enthusiasm by either party, and the Macpherson buffalo did not
materialise.
Machinery.—The administration of the pumps became hopelessly confused
owing to different instructions being given to E. and M., Circle, and Political Officers.
A satisfactory arrangement has now been made with the E. and M. Officer, whereby
the latter undertakes all repairs, the A.P.O. guaranteeing payment, and’generally
looking after the pumps in non-technical matters. Three applications to purchase
Government pumps have been received, but the price is not yet known and may
prove to be too high. J
5. Municipal : Buildings.—During the greater part of 1917 the town presented
a deplorable appearance. At the time of the revolt the tribes and some of the towns
people broke into the sarai and many other buildings, and the returnino- Turks
completed the work of destruction. Not content with shelling the town after their
entry they blew up many of the houses, and two whole mahallahs were almost
destroyed There are still many ruined houses, but much re-building has been
5 w C !r The sarai has been restored and is now tenanted by Resources and the
I.U.l., and all the buildings along the river front which have been taken over for
military purposes are now in good order. Unfortunately the local inhabitants
cannot afford to rebuild their houses at the present price of labour and materials
while many houses have been requisitioned for billets so that accommodation is
very inadequate and the people are suffering considerable inconvenience.
Roads. Roads have been made from the north end of the town on the bank
of the river to join the Barrage Road, from the same point over Tnew pi e bridge
to the station, while a road from the Kufah road to the Barrage Road on the west
of the town is nearly completed. All works have been carried by the Irriyatfon
Department under military orders and at military expense. 7 lrri g atl0n
Taxation and Development.-ANith the exception of the house tax of 10 ner
cent on the assessed rental, no tax has been imposed which was not in force unto
the Turkish rule; but the rates of some taxes have been raised, collections have