'MILITARY REPORT ON PERSIA. VOL. IV, PART II.' [‎60r] (124/212)

107
has been particularly heavy, but figures which may be given
should not he relied upon with ary degree of certainty or even
approximation for following seasons. All statistics therefore
for supplies in South Persia, unless otherwise specifically stated,
should be considered as dependent on a good rainfall the previous
winter.
Bvshire Town .—With the exception of fresh vegetables
practically all the food supply for the 16,000 inhabitants of the
town comes in by sea, either from the Angali districts via Shif,
or from Haiat Daf:d, via Pandar Rig and Ganaveh. Firewood
is imported from Tangistan, chiefly by boat from Daiyir, and
partially by donkeys across the fnashileh. A considerable
trade exists with Karachi for in'ported artielbs of food, especial
ly sugar. There are three mills for grinding flour in the town,
but the supply is only just aboi,bequal to the demand. In good
harvest years there is a fair expert of wheat and barley from
the port, the whole of this being collected from the surrounding
districts, chiefly Ha:at Daiid and Shabankareh, by buyers from
Bushire. The bazar is well stocked. There is a large vegetable
market and a meat market; and the ordinary grain and grocers
shops are spread throughout the bazar, the .bulk of the grain
being at the southern end of the bazar and near the wharves.
Tea is largely drunk by the inhabitants, and a large stock is
always held. Sugar is exported to the hinterland. Prices
are high and subject to the most violent fluctuations, their
relative cheapness when compared with India^ depending on
the exchange value of the krdn.
If necessary, by resorting to substitutes for ordinary ration
articles, there is no reason why 6,000 men should not live on
local resources for a month without unduly straining the bazar,
though there is no question that any such action would result
in greatly inflating, prices.
Bushire. Island .—This is a sandy waste with patches of
rock outcropping at frequent intervals, and in the summer no
one would think it was capable of producing even an indifferent
crop. Fruit gardens and date palms are found near houses,
and pits, dug down through the top layer of rock, are found
all over the island containing vines and fig trees. When^the
winter rains fall, barley and wheat are scattered on the ground
by hand, donkeys, ponies and bullocks are yoked to primitive
ploughs, the seed is ploughed in and left to the hand of God
If good rains are received, there is a good crop, and if the rains
Bushire Town.
Bushire Island,