lo March, 1909.] Irrigatiini in EastcDi Spain. 



187 



hills. The line follows a sort of uneven valley where the land is much 

 broken and the variety of landscape, soils, and cultures is almost be- 

 wildering in its sudden changes. Vines, olives and algarrobos are passed 

 in rapid succession, alternating, here and there, with patches of richer 

 soil under cereals very often, or, if water is available, oranges and the 

 numerous other crops characteristic of irrigated land.* Norias, or water- 

 lifts of old Moorish pattern, are frequently to be seen ; these permit the 

 application of water to small patches — to which it cannot be brought by 

 gravitation — wherever underground water is available, at not too great a 

 depth and the soil is suitable. 



Near Tabernes, are large plantations of strawberries. The soil here is- 

 poor and hilly. As soon as one leaves the rich land of the Huertas, 

 specialization once more becomes the rule. 



Here and there, where the railway passes near the sea-shore, rice fields 

 are to be seen, the whole coiintrv side making a picture of prosperity and 

 fertility as striking as it is varied. 



DATE PALMS NEAR CARCAGENTE. 



Want of space prevents descriptions of such places as Valdigna,. 

 Tabernes, Jaraco, &c., all of which are of interest. After passing the im- 

 posing fortress of San Juan, with its group of supporting outworks scat- 

 tered among the rocks and in a somewhat ruinous condition, the coimtry 

 opens out and one arrives at Gandia, situated on a fertile plain irrigated" 

 from the river Alcoy which takes its rise in the Monte Aitana. 



The approach to Gandia is heralded by the number of bamboo shelters- 

 in which young tomato plants are raised. These are so numerous as to. 

 become a feature of the landscape, thus evidencing the importance of 

 tomato culture in this neighbourhood. 



Gandia differs essentially from Denia though the two places are onlv 

 18 miles apart. Instead of the dry red soil so suitable for raisin growing, 

 characteristic of the latter place, one finds a rich, dark alluvial soil,- 

 probably owang its colour to the manuring of centuries ; for intense culture 

 has been the rule here for generations, probably ever since an adequate- 

 supply of water was available. At the present day it is still the rule^ 



