Morocco

Anticipating Abyssinia

December 18, 2009

Vavilov’s general observations on agriculture in North Africa bring his journeys through the Maghreb, though not around the Mediterranean, to an end. Next stop, Abyssinia. Before we join him there, early in the new year, we have to chase a hare he set running with his description of “cous-cous”. That will appear next week.

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North African Agriculture

December 16, 2009

August 1926 Generally North Africa is a kind of unit of its own. A phytogeographical analysis clearly reveals specific Mediterranean crops, a dominance of original, local large-grained hard wheat and six-rowed barley. The cultivation of large-seeded leguminous plants and large-seeded flax is concentrated in the coastal zone. The mountain areas of the Atlas and the [...]

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The flight proved adventurous

December 2, 2009

August 1926 The duration of my visa to Morocco had come to an end. In my enthusiasm I had overstayed the date set for it. After sending my French assistant with the luggage to Algiers, I decided to avail myself of the fastest mode of transportation, which was a seat in a military aeroplane, obtained [...]

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From the Atlas to Atlantis

November 30, 2009

August 1926 Just like the Kabyle mountains, the Atlas mountains are occupied by a population of Berbers who are definitely different from the Arabs. They are settlers with a high level of agriculture. Here tiled roofs are widespread. The people have a feeling for their old culture and preserve all old habits. The legend of [...]

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Marrakech and into the Atlas

November 25, 2009

August 1926 Marrakesh is an ancient city, represented by an important oasis with an extensive system of underground irrigation, for which water is supplied to the fields through subterranean tunnels. Water is plentiful. The oases cover a large portion of the land. There is a multitude of crops: cereals, leguminous and oil-producing plants and different [...]

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Casablanca

November 11, 2009

August 1926 From Rabat I went to Casablanca, which is also situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and differs little from Rabat as far as conditions are concerned. Both Rabat and Casablanca are new cities, built by the French in Arabian style with flat roofs. But they have adopted only the building style [...]

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Rabat

November 6, 2009

August 1926 The capital of Morocco is Rabat, where an agricultural research station and the Department of Agriculture are located. The head of the station, Dr. Miège, was well-known to me from the literature. He is the author of original papers on cultivated plants. I acquainted myself in detail with the Moroccan material amassed at [...]

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To Fez, by bus

November 2, 2009

August 1926 I went to Morocco by bus, the usual mode of travelling in Algeria and Morocco, and was lucky to be able to familiarize myself within a short time (10-12 days) with the main agricultural areas of that country. Along the road from Algeria I passed extensive areas of vineyards. This is a large, [...]

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