EGYPTIAN VARIETIES 59 



years, and has been grown on an extensive scale. 

 The cotton is of excellent staple, and closely resem- 

 bles a high grade of Mitafifi. The fibre is 1-3 1-6 

 inches long, and has an average diameter of 0*00068 

 inch. 



Abassi. This variety was obtained by selection 

 from Zafiri, which, in turn, was obtained from Mitafifi. 

 It was introduced into general cultivation in 1893. 

 The fibre is white, and in this respect differs from all 

 the other varieties cultivated in Egypt at the present 

 time. The cotton is fine, silky, 1-2 1-4 inches long, 

 0*00067 mcn m average diameter, and of good strength; 

 it is not so strong, however, as Mitafifi cotton, and is 

 more difficult to gin. During the last few years, the 

 cultivation of this variety has rapidly declined. 



Yannovitch. This cotton has been cultivated since 

 the year 1897. ^ * s supposed to have originated by 

 hybridisation from Mitafifi and Gallini (a variety, 

 closely resembling Sea Island, which was formerly 

 cultivated). The best qualities are grown on the 

 salt soils of the northern part of the Delta. The 

 fibre is very strong, 1-4 16 inches long, oooo68 

 inch in average diameter, and is one of the finest 

 and most silky of the Egyptian cottons. 



Sakellaridis. This variety has been recently estab- 

 lished, and is known by the name of the discoverer, 

 M. Sakellaridis, who found the plant some years ago 

 among a crop of Mitafifi cotton. This form matures 

 earlier than Mitafifi, and was grown in 1910 on a 

 fairly large scale in the Gharbia and Sharqia Pro- 

 vinces. Since that year it has become increasingly 

 popular, and now occupies 93 per cent, of the total 

 cotton area of Lower Egypt. The cotton is soft, 

 silky, lustrous, cream-coloured with a faintly reddish 

 tinge, of good strength, 1-4 1-7 inches long, and has 

 an average diameter of 0*00062 inch. The fibre is 

 superior to that of Yannovitch, being finer, more 

 silky, and slightly paler in colour. 



Assil AM. A superior type of Mitafifi cotton has 

 been produced by selection and is known by the 

 name of" Assili "(meaning" of pure original strain ") 

 or " Assil Ann." 



