COTTON IN EGYPT AND THE SUDAN. 



are extensive tracts of soil containing salt, and towards the south- 

 west and south-east large tracts of sandy soil extend which can be 

 bought relatively cheap. The major portion of these areas is not 

 able to produce cotton at once, and it is only after several years of 

 careful irrigation, drainage, working with steam cultivators, applica- 

 tion of manures, and lastly, after the cultivation of other crops, such 

 .as rice, clover, and barley, according to conditions of soil, that the 

 first cultivation of cotton can be attempted. 



Once this stage has been reached it is hardly worth the companies 

 while to undertake the cultivation, and, consequently, this improved 

 land is let as soon as possible in small plots to the peasants, and after 

 .a few years, when the soil has been improved, the companies endeav- 

 our to sell it at the best possible price. 



The following is a list of the principal land companies : 



LAND COMPANIES. 



