Each of the cities of the M’Zab has its palm gardens as well as
gardens in which grains of various sorts and vegetables are grown.
Intensive gardening is practised and the fruits of the soil, although
won with great labor, are nevertheless not inconsiderable.[21]
Perhaps the most palms are to be found about 2 kilometers above
Ghardaia, where they are so abundant as to form a small forest. Here,
in the most thickly planted portions, one finds a veritable jungle
in which the desert glare is softened by the spreading tops of
the palms and by the close canopy of grape-vines which reach from
one palm-stem to another. There is a second story of apricots,
peaches, almonds, and figs, and on the floor one finds a variety
of vegetables. Outside of the palm gardens, and adjacent to them,
are the plots in which cereals are grown. These gardens are divided
into diminutive fields, frequently not larger than 1 by 1.5 meters,
which are separated by small irrigating ditches and smaller laterals,
from which they are given water (fig. 19). Here barley, oats, and
wheat are raised, and often with them are planted carrots, turnips,
or other vegetables. The main ditches are rendered impermeable by
heavy coats of plaster, making it possible to use with the least
waste the difficultly acquired water.