Syria: An Economic Survey 



quality of oil which sells for 300-335 francs per hundred pounds, 

 whereas the oil made by the natives brings only 95-125 francs per 

 hundred kilograms. The untrodden residue is used in the fabri- 

 cation of Jialvah, the trodden residue being used for fodder. 



(3) The production of volatile oils, for instance perfumes 

 from mimosa, has been attempted in various parts of Syria. A 

 French company founded branches on Mt. Carmel, in Zichron 

 Jacob, Petach Tikvah, and Jaffa, where fats were perfumed with 

 mimosa, etc. This company ceased its activities several years ago. 

 Besides mimosa oil, thyme oil was produced in the Jewish colony 

 Artuf, and geranium oil in Rishon 1'Zion and Petach Tikvah 

 (Baron Eothschild). 



Laurel oil is made from the fruit of the laurel bush in Antioch, 

 the southern part of the Vilayet of Aleppo, and recently in the 

 Jewish colony of Rosh Pinah. Anise oil is made in Galilee. A 

 Jewish factory uses the domestic essences in the preparation of 

 eau de Cologne and other perfumes. 



(4) Jewish agriculturists are experimenting with castor oil, 

 but so far all attempts to produce it have been on a small scale. 



C. Soap. 



The olive oil which is not used for consumption serves for the 

 manufacture of soap. The demand for oil for this purpose is so 

 great (about 12,000-15,000 tons annually) that in some years addi- 

 tional quantities have to be imported. The centers of soap manu- 

 facture are Tripoli, Antioch, BTablus, Jaffa, and Aleppo. The 

 best soap is that of Nablus. The total soap production of Syria 

 amounts to 20,000 tons, worth about 15,000,000 francs. There 

 are 150 soap factories, employing from 2,000-3,000 laborers. 



D. Milling. 



Milling is one of the most progressive and remunerative of 

 Syria's industries. Formerly there were only water mills or hand 

 mills, the latter worked by the wives of the fellaheen. In the 

 middle of the nineteenth century windmills were introduced in 

 several cities, for instance in Jerusalem, which have now been re- 

 placed by steam engines and by kerosene and coal-gas motors. 

 The milling industry in Damascus and Jerusalem has decreased 

 since railways were built. Macaroni, for which the Syrian wheat 

 is well suited, is manufactured in Jaffa, Jerusalem, and Beirut, 

 in factories equipped with hydraulic presses. Wheat starch is made 

 in Aleppo and Damascus, and burghul (wheat grits) in Southern 



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