PERRY, Terraced Cultivation arid Irrigation 



ci> 



but I doubt this. " They built walls of heavy masonry, 

 and brought water, loam and fertilising materials from 

 great distances. The slopes of Granada back of Malaga 

 and Almeria were covered with vineyards. Every foot 

 of land susceptible of cultivation was turned to account, 

 every drop of water from the ill-timed winter rains was 

 conserved for the growing season. The application of 

 intelligence and labour to tillage enabled the Hispano- Arab 

 provinces to support a dense population. 8 Terraced culti- 

 vation is found in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. 9 Malta 

 has many terraces with masonry walls to sustain them. 

 " In the Cyclades every patch of tillable ground is culti- 

 vated by the industrious inhabitants. Terraced slopes 

 are green with orchards of various southern fruits, and 

 between the trees are planted melons and vegetables." 10 

 Again, " To-day, terraced slopes, irrigation, hand-made 

 soils, hoe and spade tillage, rotation of crops, and a rich 

 variety of field and garden products characterise the 

 economic history of the Mediterranean islands, whether 

 Elba, the Lipari, Ponza, Procida, Capri, Ischia, Pantellaria, 

 Lampedurs or the ^Egean groups." 10 



The Phoenicians practised irrigation and terraced cul- 

 tivation in the plains of Sidon. 11 " Terraces are especially 

 found on Mount Lebanon. When viewed from the sea 

 on a morning in early spring, Lebanon presents a picture 

 which once seen is never forgotten ; but deeper still is the 

 impression left on the mind when one looks down over 

 its terraced slopes clothed in their gorgeous foliage." The 

 Phoenicians had a water supply brought through stone 

 aqueducts into masonry-lined reservoirs. 1 - 



Terraced cultivation was once practised in Palestine. 

 " As to the present condition of the country : In the plains 



s Semple, p. 567. ° Ibid, p. 566. 10 Ibid, p. 457. 



11 Rawlinson, "History of Phoenicia," London, 1889, p. 8. 



12 Op. cit. t pp. 10, 17, 1 8, 36, 73. 



