COTTON IN EGYPT AND THE SUDAN. 115 



The first attempts to introduce Egyptian cottons into other 

 countries have certainly, in the majority of instances, been unfruitful, 

 even in the most suitable cotton states of North America, and in India 

 and West Africa; but the attempts in the coast districts of Peru, 

 in Hayti, Tunis, Syria, German East Africa, and the low-lying parts 

 of Nyassaland, also, with the aid of artificial irrigation in the East 

 Indian province of Sind, have undoubtedly been successful. Also the 

 tracts of the dry, south-western part of the U.S.A., the States of 

 Arizona and south-east California, appear suitable for the cultivation 

 of Egyptian types of cotton, with the aid of artificial irrigation ; in 

 1912 experiments extending to about 800 acres were there undertaken 

 with Egyptian cotton. Afifi and Joanovitch, grown on the alluvial 

 soil of Texas, aided by artificial irrigation, gave very satisfactory 

 results. Whether the promising cultivation in these American dis- 

 tricts will increase so quickly as to cover the home requirements of 

 the United States, and possibly, at a later date, yield some cotton 

 for export, cannot be foretold to-day. Even in such an event, Egypt 

 would still have the advantage of greater proximity and cheaper 

 freight rates as regards the European markets. 



Egypt has been heavily burdened in its agricultural production 

 through the extremely high prices of land, which have risen excessively 

 during the last two decades ; on the other hand it possesses, even 

 to-day, the advantage of very low wages, and a unique position on 

 account of its perfect system of irrigation, both of which, for the 

 present, assure Egypt of its position in the supply of cotton. 



In view of the strenuous endeavours of the Government, and 

 of all engaged in this industry, it appears certainly possible to meet 

 the wishes of the spinners respecting the growing of definite qualities. 



