Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎54r] (107/176)

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majority of cultivators, wisely or unwisely, cut down cultural operations to the
minimum. Much of the land received a single ploughing only, and ridging and other
operations were often of the most perfunctory character.
274. In addition, the crop suffered from unfavourable weather during the
germination period, necessitating resowing on a large scale; and the weather was also
unfavourable during the early growing period. In July the water supply was
extremely short, and in an effort to compensate for this, much over-watering occurred
in August. In September the weather was cool and damp, delaying the maturation
of the crop, and the severe pink boll-worm attack, probably aggravated by the other
adverse conditions, contributed largely to reducing the first picking, and almost
completely destroying the second.
275. Although the weather and water supply conditions were not favourable, it
is certain that bad cultivation was the principal cause of the poorness of the crop.
There is ample evidence to show that, where the normal amount of attention was
given and the crop sown at the normal season, the results were satisfactory. The
State Domains and other well-managed estates obtained either as good or only
slightly shorter crops than in the previous year.
276. It is a noticeable fact that, whereas the average yield throughout the
country was only 2-56 kantars per feddan, the average yield from the Cotton Research
Board’s field experiments was 4 55 kantars. The land on which these experiments
are carried out is selected for evenness and, consequently, is somewhat above the
average for the delta. It should be remembered, however, firstly that no Upper
Egyptian plots are included in the average of 4-55 kantars per feddan given above,
and this would be raised very considerably by their inclusion; and, secondly, that in
an experiment w^here two or more sets of conditions are compared, only one set of
plots can conform to optimum conditions, and the crop from the others is, therefore,
less than it might have been. The yields obtained by the Cotton Research Board
compare very favourably with the average of the country.
277. In the variety tests, as regards monetary return, Sakel, grown from
Domains seed, stands well ahead of all rivals except the variety knowm as No. 310,
introduced by Dr. Balls when he wms working in the Department of Agriculture.
It is doubtful, at present, which is the more profitable of these two varieties, Sakel
giving a slightly heavier crop and No. 310 being of slightly better quality.
278. Of Upper Egyptian varieties, the Botanical and Plant-Breeding Service's
selected strains of Ashmuni and Zagora are undoubtedly at least as good as anything
in the country and far superior to the average.
279. It would appear, therefore,- that the best strains of seed in the country are
in the Government’s hands, and that, if adequate seed farms are provided and a
satisfactory system of seed control instituted, there is a very fair prospect of a
substantial improvement in the quality and value, if not in the quantity, of the
Egyptian crop in the not far distant future.
280. The Cotton Research Board, which w^as created in 1919, has continued to
make steady progress. The new buildings were finished early in the year, and the
technical staff has been substantially increased. The first annual report was
published in June, and was well received; the second is now in the press. An
extensive programme of experiments was carried out in 1921, and a more complete
programme laid down for 1922, full accounts of which will be found in the annual
reports of the board.
281. Distribution of varieties of cotton
Varieties.
Area in Feddans.
Per Cent.
Mit Atifi
6,771
0*5
Sakellaridis
995,479
77-1
Ashmuni
170,514
13-2
Y oanovich
300
. •
* 9- Nubari ..
8,645
0-7
Assili
5,839
0-4
Abbassi ..
1,267
o-i
Zagora ..
92,536
72
Other varieties* ..
10,527
0-8
Total ..
1,291,878
100*0
* “ Other varieties ” includes all minor varieties for which no records are available.