British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 726

CHAPTER XVI.

Melons

Other fruit

1921 1928 1985 1988 1942 1945

18,804 15,576 68,799

114,805 64,717 142,827

8,198 6,485 6,897

25,659 27,028 29,495

The Arab production of the principal "other fruits" whose total tonnage is shown in the immediately preceding figures is estimated to be approximately :

Arab proportion of production

Almonds 98%

Stone fruits 76%

Pome fruits 57%

Bananas 53%

Dates 99%

203. The following table gives comparative figures of livestock in Palestine :-

Table 'J!l.

1921 1930 1931 1943
Total in Total in Total in Arab owned
country country country only
Cattle Unavailable 146,000 169,000 219,000
Sheep 232,000 258,000 209,000 225,000
Goats 419,000 440,000 361,000 815,000
Camels 13,000 25,000 28,000 83,000
Hones Unavailable 14,000 20,000 17,000
Mules Unavailable 5,000 9,000 7,000
Donkeys Unavailable 77,000 92,000 105,000

204. These figures, no less than the data in respect of crop diversification, illustrate the increased prosperity and better husbandry which, together with the improved standards of health and education introduced and with the progressive resolution of uncertainty in regard to land tenure, have been transforming the Arab rural economy throughout the quarter of a century covered.

205. If the steps taken since the Occupation to bring order into the disordered land regime have been dealt with cursorily above, this is because they are treated elsewhere in greater detail (sections l, 2 and 3 of chapter VIII). Their importance, in relation to the improvement of the conditions of the rural Arabs should not, however, be left unemphasized. Particular mention should also be made of the legislation enacted for the protection of cultivators (section 8(b) of chapter VIII).

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