'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia: About 1889-1890' [‎704v] (1429/1486)

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elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the level of the
sea. The same difficulty of a long steep ascent pre
sents itself wherever the plateau is approached from
the lower plains, a difficulty which there is no possible
means of avoiding. In this belt of mountains the
Eeliauts who encamp in the plains of Shushter and
Dizful in the winter have their summer quarters.
There is abundance of excellent pasture and water for
their flocks, but almost no cultivation. There is how
ever a zone of fine forest trees, such as beeches, planes,
and oaks, from which products suitable for export
could no doubt be obtained.
Immediately beyond this barrier belt of mountains
lie some of the principal provinces of Persia, such as
Ispahan, Irak* JVIeJayer, Hamadan, Kermanshah, and
KurdistatTT In all of tFese provinces inter-communi
cation is comparatively easy once the barrier is crossed,
and the general level of the great plateau on which
they are situated is attained. They enjoy a remark
ably fine climate and fertile soil, and, compared with
other parts of Persia, are well watered. Fruit of many
kinds, of excellent quality suitable for drying and
exporting, is cheap and abundant. Good wine is made
by the Armenians at Ispahan and Hamadan, which
might gradually be developed into an article of
export by any one practically acquainted with the
trade and with all the processes connected with wine
making. Care would of course have to be taken so to
conduct operations as not to offend the religious pre
judices of the Persians to whom as Mussulmans wine
is forbidden. Wheat and barley are abundant.
Opium and rice are extensively cultivated in the pro
vince of Ispahan. Irak and Kurdistan are the prin-