16 



rolling, l)ut as soon as one leaves the slope toward the Nile the desert 

 is comparatix ely ilat and uninterestino-. 



After traversing the desert for about thirty minutes signs of culti- 

 vation began to appear, although the land showed that the water sup- 

 ply had not been adequate. As the soil is sandy, much water is needed 

 to maintain plant growth. But few trees have been planted in this 

 district and the houses of the farmers are scattered here and there, 

 indicating that their location had not been lixed b}' any prearranged 

 plan. As the flood of the Nile does not reach the Fayum. the village 

 life so common in the valley of the Nile is not essential. As Medinet 

 el Fayum is approached the country- takes on new life and the soil 

 changes to a black loam which jnelds all kinds of crops in abundance. 

 The town is situated along the bank of Joseph's Canal, which furnishes 

 the life of the province and adds much to the attractions of the town. 



The country around the town is very productive, and affords an 

 excellent opportunity for studying Egyptian agricultural methods. 

 The entire province slopes toward a lake which lies along the margin 

 of the desert to the northwest of the capital. The fall of the countr}" 

 is considerable, enabling the farmer to irrigate his held l)y gravity, as 

 is done in the United States. Many lifting devices are found along 

 the canals, however, which serve for the irrigation of lands lying 

 adjacent to them. To the east of the town the canal is less attractive 

 than it is within the limits of the capital, because it is more tortuous 

 and the material which has been taken out in cleaning the channel has 

 been deposited in heaps along the banks. The thrifty appearance of 

 all growing crops is sufficient evidence of the fertilitv of the soil and 

 the effectiveness of the irrigation s3'stem. Man}' trees seldom seen in 

 the valley of the Nile can be found in this province. Among these 

 the olive predominates. Date palms, oranges, and ffgs are extensively 

 grown and the vine is well represented. 



The conditions of the Fayum have changed but little, as far as we 

 have any authentic history, since the time Lake Moeris disappeared to 

 give place to an agricultural community. For over three thousand 

 years the province has been cultivated and the people have enjoyed 

 more of peace and prosperit}' than have the farmers in the valle}' of 

 the Nile. The ruins of ancient Crocodilopolis lie to the south and 

 west of the present capital, and to the east on the edge of the desert 

 pyramids and ruins of immense temples are found. 



In returning to Cairo the day was clear, and the entire panorama of 

 desert and cultivated land was spread out as the train sped along. 

 Farmers were out in the ffelds, some plowing with their curious wooden 

 plows, others digging with the hoe, and others clearing the land or 

 cleaning small ditches. Here and there steam plows belonging to 

 some larger plantation took the place of the more primitive native 

 implements. Drainage work was in progress in places, and occasion- 



