The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-18
AN OASIS IN THE SAHARA.


From the Commonwealth
DR.. Jacquot describes the first oasis he saw
In the Sahara as "a little green corner, fresh
and shady, cheered by the song OF birds and
enlivcned by the murmur of waters. The
dates waived their elegant plumes high in the
air: the pomegranates and fix trees crowded
between tho columns Of the palms; the wheat
and barley clothed the soil with verdure: the
water flowed in every direction and tho humid
vapors viviiied the foliage. One could not
help trembling for the little spot. it seemed
such feeble thing in the immensty Of the
desert. surrounded by desolate plains and
menaced by moving sand hills
DR.. Jacquots description is slightly errone-
GUS; it may do very well for poets. but as a
true description II Is wrong An oasis is not
All immense wild garden. where numerous
species OF fruits and noWefs crowd each other
cultivated almost to tho extreme by human
Industry. which refuses space to every fruit or
flower which does not aid to sustain life. An
oasis is usually about n mile and quarter in
length and about tlve-eRhths OF n mile in
breadth. In nearly every case it occupies the
bottom OF some ravine, which shelters it In
every direction. 1t ls enclosed By a mud or
stone wall about eight feet IN height and
tervas about this wall are round stone
towers: these are sentry boxes on the
guards SI to protect the place from piiIagc. The
gardens of the oasis lie against this outer wall
and are divided into small enclosures, each OF
which Is the property of one person. Next to
the gardens, toward the centre. are fields OF
corn. barley, and onions. divided into parts as
in the gardens, which are watered and tended
little riVuet. which runs from springs near
ono of the extreme ends
each family in a separate dwelling. but in one
large house called ksar. which is usually
solid mass, perforated here and there with a
small window and diversified with Jutting
angles The halls are narrow narrow dark Il,
filthy places, lighted by single nper-
ture. in tho wall. The whole place re-
u human habitation In some OF the ksars.
about three or iour, hundred men, women.
ton, are huddled together IN n building which
would SOON to European hardly ale to con-
tain more than u hundred
The only interesting thing about the whole
oasis is the marabet or sepulchral chapel.
which stands outside the walls. It is generally
square. surmounted by a cupola the, whole
being built OF stone or brick. executed by arti-
sans brought from Morocco for that express
purpose. Occasionally the principal cupola is
ilankod by four similar ones, the interior pre-
seu'ing court, surrounded by Il gallery sup
ported on Moorish arcades. n most cases tho os-
trich egg crowns the summit OF the cupola but
occasionally a stone or metal ball may he found
occupying the exalted position. The ma bitants
OF the oasis choose to reserve all the luxury
and magnifcence Of their archit ecture to adorn
the little temple AROUND which they cXcarate
hnpatons Of the living to nth the rayaees
OF foes, but are UNIVERSAL held sacred: and
the conIueror covered with blood. approaches
here with reverence and prostrates himself in
lowly worship. Life is so uncertain. When the
arms OF the enemy combine with clements Of
nature to threaten its existence. that it is no
wonder the inhabitant of the oasis cares TO
lavish all his wealth. not on the dwelling which
will probably shelter him but a day. but on the
place which will shelter him forever from the
storms of life.
In the gardens near the outer wall Of the
principal food ull over the Sahara. The trunk
OF this pa m Is usually about fifty or sixty
feet in height: and IS crowned by = tuft Of ire ra-
than the acorn; it is red color when ripe and
Is enclosed in hard kernel. from which 1t is
easily separated. 1t Is pulpy, firm. escu-
lent. and sweet. with slight astrinGen-
cy The tree is raised from shoots.
which arrive at maturity in about thirty years,
and continues bearing tor about seventy more.
producing yeary about fifteen or twenty cus-
tors. which weigh, usually, about eiRhteon
When any one wishes to create a date gar
den. he summons the neighboring gardeners
TO his assistance: aud thus he accomplishes
his work with economy and despatch. Tor their
services cost him nothing except the obllga-
tion to return the same when demanded. Tho
sand Is first removed 10 Il depth OF several feet.
in order that the roots may reach water. be-
sides trench is dug around the, tree mt IL
regular distance and into this. when neces-
snry, water is poured. in order that, sinking
through the soil. it may elfectually reach
is chiefly committed to the women and chill
dren. by those who have o slaves and the
precious fluid is carried IN skins OF animals or
baskets OF balpo fiouted closely Ms to be
waterproof. In most GASES canals are cut in
every direction. communicating with tho
springs which supply the GASES; and whom re-
striction is necessary, each gardener pays so
much per hour for the use Of the water in his
garden. In some GASES. each proprietor las
the right t. the springs for an hour or two ne
cordinG to the title deeds OF his estate. The
time is measured by n rude chronometer held
In the above imperfect accoun. | have en-
deavornd to give my readers a description OF
the oasis as it is. and not as tho poets or
romanccrs would have us believe.