Russegger^s Betnarks on the CUmate of Egypt. 108 



Egypt the fruits of various trees are ripe. In January are 

 sown beans, lupines, and flax, which are gathered in the first 

 part of summer. In February the rice is sown, whose harvest 

 happens in September, in which month also the orange, lemon, 

 and olive-trees yield their fruit. In Januai*y the sugar cane is 

 cut in Egypt. In May, grapes, figs, and Carob-beans ripen. 

 Clover is cut three times in the year. Thus, in this rich 

 country, there is no month in which nature does not produce 

 flowers and fruits. Wliat could not such a country become in 

 the hands of a wise government, one which would truly and 

 judiciously promote the industry and welfare of the people I 

 What prosperity might be developed, and at present what 

 misery prevails ! The climate of Lower Egypt is to be re- 

 garded as of the happiest description, for it favours to the ut- 

 most the cultivation of all the vegetable productions of South- 

 ern Europe, while it admits of the growth of most of those 

 belonging to the warm tropical regions. I think that the fol- 

 lowing tabular view of the seed-time and harvest occurring in 

 each month may not be uninteresting as regards the cultiva- 

 tion of Lower Egypt. The data are derived partly from my 

 own observations and partly from those of other travellers.* 



* Prokesch, Erinncrungen aus Egypten. ChampolJion-Figeac, Beschrei- 

 biingvon Egypten, Stuttgart, 1841. Niebuhr,Reisebe8chreibangnach Ara- 

 bien. 



