'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎371v] (767/820)

716
TUR—TUR
It is also the head-quarters of a sanitary cordon, formerly under the
exclusive control of a Russian officer; it has now (1906) been nominally
handed over to the Persian Government, but the Russian officer remains on
as usual; there are two Russian doctors, One at Turbat-i-Haidari and one at
, Karlz, and a Cossack officer at Kariz employed on quarantine work. The
savdrs of the cordon belong to the Russian-trained Tehran Cossack Brigade.
Previous to the great famine of 1871, Turbat-i-Haidari was a flourishing
. and populous town. During the years of scarcity,
opu a ion. 1868-1871, the population is said to have been
reduced by 20,000. It has, however, to some extent recuperated at the
present date—mainly owing to increased trade with Russia and Afghanis
tan—and is now estimated at 3,000 houses with a population of 12,000
to 15,000 souls. The towns-folk are mainly of Qaiai stock, but many
of the chief merchants and artizans are Yazdis.
The climate of Turbht-i-Haidari is exceedingly healthy. Owing to its
elevation it is sometime colder both in winter
Climate and water-supply. an{ j summer than that of Meshed, and the
snowfall is more considerable.
The water-supply is ample from several channels, and the quality of the
water is good. Turbat-i-Haidari proper is supplied by a Tidnz brought
from the hills some 15 miles distant to the north and called the Chashmeh-
i-Divaneh, and by several streams which feed the main nala.
The surrounding country being very fertile, so much so that wheat and
„ .. barley are largely exported to other districts,
plentiful supplies, both of grain and meat
(mutton) are available, and in a normal year prices range lower for
country products than in Meshed. Fruit is plentiful and good, apricots,
plums, almonds, and excellent melons being the principal varieties.
Few industries, properly so-called, exist.
Industries and produce. The principal sources of income of the
inhabitants are—
(1) Wool-buying —Wool from southern Khorasan and Afghanistan is
purchased and exported to Russia. The establishment of a
factory An East India Company trading post. at Kariz,* where the wool is cleaned and exported
direct, has to some extent affected the Afghan branch of the
trade, and will probably produce a further depreciation in
the future.
(2) Silk production. —Turbat-i-Haidari was formerly famous for its silk.
This industry, which at one time declined, has now revived,
and is in a flourishing condition, the output for 1904-05 being
valued at tumdns 80,000 ; it is still on the increase. The silk
is wound off the cocoons locally, and exported to Meshed and
Yazd. There are 40 silk-winding factories in the town. Eggs are
also locally bred and sold. The mulberry tree is abundant and
forms a distinctive feature of the landscape.
•Latest accounts say this factory An East India Company trading post. is to be abandoned.