Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 366

(a) The Vine. The cultivation of table grapes suffered many setbacks in the first years. The market was not accustomed to this fruit, the settler had not yet learned to preserve the tree and fruit well, nor had he learned the art of packing, transporting and marketing. Furthermore, the vine suffered from diseases. The yields were poor. The excessive heat in the Valley of Esdraelon and in the Jordan valley had a detrimental effect on the yield of the vine, and a considerable portion of it had to be sent to the wine dealers for the production of wine. However, in the course of years a system of cordons was introduced in the vineyards to prevent infection, and in some places partial irrigation was installed. The market gradually became accustomed to the table grape, and it may be stated that the efforts in this branch were crowned with success. (b) Fruit trees. The settlements are increasingly cultivating fruit trees, and the home market has already been supplied with the local yields. As yet, it is impossible to establish which are the best kinds suitable for the conditions in the country. The controversy between the experts with regard to this is still in progress, and the experimenting period is too short for arriving at conclusions; but it is evident that the fruit grown in the settlements, especially in the mountain regions, is good, tasty and profitable. (c) Citrus fruit. The predominating agricultural industry in Judea and Sharon is the citrus fruit. Recently this branch penetrated also to the Jordan valley and the Valley of Esdraelon, the settlements of which have irrigation facilities and cheap water rates. It must be stated that, notwithstanding the assistance given to the settlers through irrigation, nurseries and Extension Service for the purpose of developing the citrus fruit, the Department makes endeavours to dissuade the settler in the Emek from enlarging his citrus area at the expense of other farm branches. The settlers are frequently warned not to overstep the boundary of 2-3 dunams per family for citrus plantation, for the question of cultivating citrus fruit in the Emek is still problematical, both with regard to soil and climate, and there is no certainty that the trees in the Emek will be as fertile as those growing in Judea and Sharon. 366