Ica Issues Report on Work in Bessarabia; Assisted Jewish Agriculturists

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

Reports on the work in Bessarabia during last year have just been received here by the Executive of the Jewish Colonization Association.

Following its program in other countries the Ica has striven in Bessarabia to develop and strengthen Jewish agricultural and cooperative enterprises, the report stated. It granted numerous loans to Jewish farmers. In 1925 there were 3,277 Jewish farmers in 25 centres of Bessarabia, cultivating 29,526 hectares of land, of which 6,505 (22.4 per cent) belonged to the Jews before the introduction of the Agrarian Reform. 7,840 hectares (26.3 per cent) were granted them as a result of the Agrarian Reform and they took on lease 15,181 (51.3 per cent).

These figures show the extent to which the Jewish farmers suffer from lack of land. 995 of them, that is 30 per cent of the total number, cultivate an area of less than 3 hectares each, 1,301, or 40 per cent, cultivate from 3 to 6 hectares each, 20 per cent from 6 to 15 hectares each and only 327, that is 10 per cent, own more than 15 hectares each.

The climatic conditions in Bessarabia during 1925 were as bad as in the previous years. The same applies to the harvest. In the spring of 1925 the Ica distributed among the Jewish farmers about 3,500 poods of barley, oats, beans, etc. In the autumn not a single farmer possessed any more sowings of winter wheat. Through a loan of $10,000 advanced by the Foundation together with the Ica, the Ica agricultural service was able to buy and distribute about 10,000 poods of winter wheat. In consequence of the abundant rainfall during May, 1926, a good harvest is now anticipated.

The distribution of agricultural machines was restricted owing to the bad harvest. Twenty-three ploughs, 5 garden ploughs, 3 harrows, 2 maize crushers, 2 sorting machines, 4 winnowing machines and 5 wagons, etc., were distributed among the colonists.

The crisis of 1924 resulted in reducing the number of horses and cattle. A special credit given by the Ica to the Co-operative Union enabled the Jewish farmers to acquire 193 heads of cattle and 125 horses.

Additional credit was given to enable the small farmers to hire land which they need.

The agricultural experts of the Ica continued advising the farmers in matters such as the purchase of good quality sowings. The agricultural experts of the Ica have also encouraged haymaking. The rearing of cattle has been encouraged and today there is a much larger number of breeders in the five breeding centres belonging to the Ica. The network of rain-gauging centres of the Ica comprises today 13 stations throughout the length of the country, being of great service to agriculture. The Ica inaugurated a new enterprise last year by organizing a cooperative dairy at Petrovca (in the district of Benderi). Special credits have been given to the colonists for the purchase of a herd of 80 milch cows. The colonists take great interest in this new enterprise which is developing and already bringing in profit, the report stated.

Viticulture and fruit culture has equally prospered. 106,000 graftings of vines of different species have been bought abroad and distributed among the colonists. During the planting of the graftings the Ica agricultural experts instructed the colonists. 148 vineyards in 16 centres have been visited and advised in their work. Further as a result of special credits granted by the Ica, the Jewish farmers were able to buy from the State about 1,250 hectares of land, the report declared.

The autographed letter of Leo Tolstoi, written to Czar Nicholas in 1901, covering a long address on the internal policy in Russia at that time, was received by the Hebrew National Library in Jerusalem, a despatch from Jerusalem states. The letter is the gift of Nathan Straus.

champion, will participate in the bouts at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn, N. Y. The proceeds of the boxing matches will go toward the fund now being raised to build the Beusonhurst Jewish Community House.