36 NOTES ON EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE. 



origin, gave rise to our preserTt Afifi. Each caiitar of Gallini cotton 

 (315 pounds) gave only from 85 to 88 j)ounds of lint. 



What is known as "Hindi" cotton is really the old native variety 

 and is now unfortunately found in almost every quality of cotton to 

 a greater or less extent. This, of course, causes deterioration in the 

 staple and also reduces the output in ginning. 



The silky natui-e of Egyptian cottons and the fact that they possess 

 a broAvn color probably indicate that they are really of Sea Island 

 oriirin, but there is no evidence to show whence their deeper coloia- 

 tion than Sea Island arose unless it was by means of a cross with some 

 highly colored variety, such as Peruvian. It has often been suggested 

 in the United States that the i^eculiar soil conditions of Egypt, tlie 

 Nile mud, etc., may account for this; but there exists in Egypt a pure 

 white variety (Abbasi), which has now been grown for many years, 

 and thei-e has been no tendency whatever toward the development of 

 any brown coloration, which seems to preclude this idea. Again, 

 previous to the appearance of Atili, the common white cotton was 

 grown. This possessed a short staple and when in quantit}' sold for 

 less than Ashmouni. It is doubtful also whether a cross with highly 

 colored Peruvian cotton would have resulted in such good quality as 

 Egj'Ptian cottons i)ossess. 



The majority of the varieties are probably " sports." When a new 

 variety has appeared, its origin has always been kept a profound 

 secret owing to the very high prices asked at tlie commencement for 

 seed, and any inquiries made always led to widely differing replies. 



The seeds of the different varieties of Lower Egypt cottons can not 

 readily l)e distinguished from each bther. They are black, with snuiU 

 tufts of green fiber at the ends. Their market values are the same. 



ABBASI. 



This is the only white cotton now grown in Egypt. It made its 

 appearance about 1891-92. At first it was grown only on large estates, 

 but it gradually increased in favor, though at the present time its cul- 

 tivation is diminishing. Afifi is the general cultivators' cotton, as it 

 were; it is more suited to all conditions, requires less care in picking, 

 and the market is always certain. All other vaiieties may be called 

 "special," requiring more careful treatment, and the demand for 

 them is not so universal. Abbasi, owing to its color, requires more 

 care in picking. It is said to be more hardy than Afifi, resisting 

 periods of drought and adverse climatic changes more successfully. 

 In the late summer and early autumn, fogs which do a great deal of 

 harm are experienced in Egypt, and it is said that Abbasi cotton 

 suffers less than any other variety, and is also less affected b}' cold 

 spells. It produces in certain districts a heavier crop than Afifi, and 

 is perhaps a little earlier. In general management and cultivation it 

 resembles the latter. 



