d. In irrigated agriculture, old Libyans were able to dig
shallow underground wells by manual methods in the
northern and southern oases. They used animals such as
donkeys and camels to extract water. Also, old Libyan
farmers found a suitable way to irrigate their vegetables
and fruit trees that are suitable in dry and hot climates,
which is within the scope of flood irrigation by dividing
the land into tables (Figs. 2.4, and 2.5).
2.2.2 The Experience of the Italian Agricultural
Settlement in Libya
Between 1911 and 1943, Libya was occupied by Italy, and
in the 1920s, the military ruler of Libya, de Bono (1928)
and then Marshal Balbo (1930) launched the Agricultural
Settlement Program in Libya which was based on the
results of some reconnaissance and intensive detailed
Fig. 2.3 Collection water: a Drinking cattle, b Drinking people
Fig. 2.2 Bottom of dry valley
2 The History of Soil Mapping and Research
15