I 



I 



CROPS OF THE COLONY. 59 



The hig-he.st elevations of the mountain zone are not suitable for any 

 sort of ag-riculture, l)ut are laroely covered with g-rass, which atiords 

 abundant pasturage to flocks of sheep and g"oats. 



HIGH PLATEAU REGION. 



In the typical steppe region of central Algei-ia agriculture is limited 

 to occasional low places where, by means of- the natural moisture of 

 the ground or by irrigation with the water of a well, a crop of barley 

 can bo made in winter. If conditions are exceptionally favoral)le, a 

 small garden can sometimes be established. At sudi points as Sctif 

 and Batna, in the eastern part of the colony, there are extensive areas 

 in winter cereals, where crops are produced without irrigation. But, 

 as we have alivady seen, these places are not to be regarded as typical 

 of the high plateau region. Agriculturally, they belong rather to the 

 vallev and plain zone of the coast region. 



The two great industries of the hig"h plateau region are grazing and 

 the collection of alfa. Vast numbers of sheep and goats, as well as 

 horses and camels, are pastured, especially in sunnner, on these ele- 

 vated grassy plains. It is estimated that from (j to 10 million head of 

 sheep and 3,500,000 g'oats range the high plateau. These animals 

 are almost without exception the property of Arabs. Many of them 

 are wintered in the Sahara, and in spring are driven by their owners 

 up to the high plateau, where pasturage is more a)>undant and the 

 heat less intense. The hides, meat, wool, and other products of these 

 animals are ii very material source of wealth to the colony. Cattle are 

 not raised in any considerable numl)er. 



Alfa, or esparto, covers vast areas of this region, often to the almost 

 complete exclusion of other vegetation. The tough leaves of this 

 grass form one of the most valuable exports of the colony, amounting' 

 amuially to about $2,000,000. They are used in the manufacture of 

 high grades of paper, basket ware, matting, hats, and cordage. The 

 harvest takes place in the spring. Persistent exploitation is resulting 

 in the rapid extermination of alfa grass, the more so because attempts 

 to establish artiticial plantations have so far been wholly unsuccessful. 



DESERT REGION. 



The oases of the Sahara, and particularly those of the depression 

 known as the Oued Rirh, in the eastern part, are the only portion of the 

 •desert that is of much agricultural importance. There the presence 

 of subterranean stieanis, carrying a considerable volume of water, has 

 made it possible to plant thousands of date palms m groves of greater 

 or less size. 



Within the last three decades the sinking of a number of artesian 

 wells m the Oued Kirh region has much increased the su})pl3' of water 



