British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 279

CHAPTER VIII.

entirely to the cultivation of cereals the question of markets is not of fundamental importance. But if the rate renders such a holding unprofitable and requires the adoption of mixed farming, including the growing of more expensive crops such as vegetables and fruit, markets are of vital importance". Again, in relation to the further development of the Gaza sub-district, they wrote (chapter VIII, para. 151): "Even, however, if water should be made available in sufficient quantities, the process of change in land utilization would at best be a slow one, and great caution would have to be exercised if the farmer is to be given a chance of success under the new conditions. In particular, before it is decided to grow deciduous fruits on a large scale, more experience is needed of their cultivation in Palestine, of the possibility of controlling certain serious insect pests, and of the availability of markets.''

122. By way of providing hypothetical data on which the problem of the lot viable as it exists to-day can be judged the following fully detailed illustrations are given. An attempt is made to define the different types and sizes of farms which it is estimated an Arab family of two adults and three children could manage and cultivate without employing any permanent hired labour. The farmers would, however, use outside labour at peak periods of demand at harvesting, following a. practice which is customary in many peasant communities. Wherever possible farmers would use modern implements on a co-operative has is, or would hire them, for such operations as ploughing, harvesting hay crops, spraying and threshing.

123. The conditions of topography, soils and climate in Palestine are so very diverse that it is impossible to describe a system of farming which would be suitable for more than limited areas of the country. The following three different tvpes of terrain (as distinguished from holding), representative of conditions over a large part of the country, are described :-

(a) A non-irrigated consolidated farm in the hills of the Jerusalem or Ramallah sub-district. The total surface area 95 dunums (23! acres).

(b) A consolidated farm in Jenin sub-district where water for irrigation is not available. Area 135 dunums (33! acres).

(cl A consolidated farm on heavy land in the plains where limited facilities for irrigation are available. Area 87 dunums (21! acres) including 12 dunums under irrigation.

It is emphasised that the areas alloted to each type of farm are not the areas at present available. They are the areas which it

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