Agriculture is represented by farms, gardens and orchards that were common in Andalusia and linked by a network of canals that still retain their Arabic names like acequia-small stream, noria and vega which was transferred to America as vegas. Royal palaces surrounded by gardens were called 'huertas' that spread around Cordoba and on the banks of the Gdalquivir Valley. Al Rasafa huerta built by Abdul Rahman Al Dakhil north of Cordoba, Al Zahra huerta built by Caliph Abdul Rahman Al Nasir north west of Cordoba and Al Zahira huerta built by chamberlain Al Mansur Ibn Abi Amer north east of Cordoba were the most famous. In Valencia Amir Abdulla Ibn Abdul Rahman Al Dakhil built a huerta of this type which he called Al Rasafa to resemble the palace of his father. The outskirts of Valencia were well-known for their roses, flowers and orange trees which scented the air with their fragrances. Hence, Valencia was known as the 'Perfumer of Andalusia'.

Valencia still preserves some Muslim systems for irrigating these orchards in the form of a water tribunal (Tribunal de las Aquas) that is held at the Cathedral gate at noon every Thursday. The panel consists of irrigation experts representing the districts of Valencia province and is chaired by a government representative. At 12:00, the chairman declares the opening of the session and calls for grievances. After discussions and deliberations the chairman issues a binding ruling. This follows exactly the pattern that used to take place during Muslim rule at the entrance of the mosque which was in the same place.

We should also mention 'El Generalife' which is the name of the beautiful garden annexed to Alhambra Palace in Granada which became a model for royal palaces elsewhere.

    The Spaniards preserved the palace and its lush gardens, with the sound of water everywhere. The Spanish poet Garcia Lorca described the scene saying: "Granada que elovae" i.e. weeping Granada, due to its abundant waters.

    A large number of Arabic words for vegetables and fruit were borrowed by the Spanish language as berenjenas (egg plant), alcarchofa (artichoke), acelqa (chard), aceituna (olive), alzafran, arroz (rice) azucar (sugar), naranja (orange) and sandia (melon), etc. We should also commend the fruitful efforts of the scientists of Andalusia in advancing agricultural sciences. They wrote books and carried out experiments that benefited the whole world. Some of them like Abu Al Hassan Ibn Sayidah (d. 458 A.H.), a blind scientist, considered the names of plants and trees a part of the Arabic language and therefore included them in his book 'Al Mukhasas'. Another group was interested in medicinal plants suitable for extracting medicines and drugs. It is represented by 'Dia El Din Ibn Al Beitar al Malaqi' (d. 646 A.H.) author of 'Al Jami' Li-Mufradat Al Aghthia wal-Adwiya'. Others wrote on the growing, fertilizing and harvesting of plants like Abu Zakariya Yahia Ibn Al Awwam, from Seville, in his book: 'Al-Felaha Fi Al Aradheen'.

    From the above we can see that Andalusia was characterized by an aesthetic delight in flowers, roses and trees to be seen in the patios of its houses, with the fountains and courtyards of its mosques full of orange and lemon trees. It can also be found in their poetry in praise of nature and in the books of its scientists on farming and medicinal plants and even in the origins of its legislation that match its natural and aesthetic inclination.