85 



The Association also co-operates with the North Charterland 

 Exploration Company in endeavouring to establish cotton 

 growing in North-eastern Rhodesia. 



Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. In 1912 a deputation from the 

 Association visited the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and reported 

 most favourably on the possibilities of that country, and par- 

 ticularly with reference to the Gezira Plain, which in their 

 opinion offered " one of the finest cotton propositions in the 

 world." In their report they stated that there seemed to be 

 no reason why in the next few years there should not be raised 

 annually 50,000 bales or more of really high-class Egyptian 

 cotton, with the prospect of the production increasing to 

 250,000 bales within ten to fifteen years, and with further possi- 

 bilities later on of a production of 1,000,000 bales or more. 



The Government experiments at Tayiba were eminently 

 successful, and the Association organized a deputation to Mr. 

 Asquith on January 23, 1913, when it was urged that the 

 Imperial Government should guarantee the interest on a loan 

 of 3,000,000 for the construction of irrigation and other works. 

 The Government promptly agreed to the Association's request. 

 Lord Kitchener is taking the deepest interest in the question. 



Conclusion. The Association! has spent 170,000 on in- 

 quiries and experimental work, and has aroused the interest 

 of the whole Empire in the possibilities of cotton growing, and 

 it has started one of the greatest Imperial movements of 

 modern times which will go on for ever. In 1903 the pro- 

 duction of cotton in new fields in the Empire amounted to only 

 1,900 bales worth 29,000. In 1913, 76,800 bales were produced 

 worth 1,170,100. Since the commencement of the Associa- 

 tion's work in 1902, 360,640 bales have been grown to the 

 value of 5,195,100. As far as is compatible with the objects 

 for which the Association was formed, the work is run on 

 business lines, as it is essential that it should pay its way. It 

 would be a misfortune for the Empire if the Association had 

 to suspend or curtail the work in any way. 



The business has grown very rapidly, and in 1913, 46,466 

 bales, worth 661,277, passed through the hands of the Asso- 

 ciation, and at one time over 250,000 was advanced against 

 cotton crops, machinery, etc. The Association assists planters 

 and others by financing, insuring, and selling cotton and seed, 

 and supplies machinery, etc., on easy terms of repayment. 

 The Association also assists Agricultural Departments by 

 reporting and advising on samples of new growths, and con- 

 stantly gives advice to planters and others on various matters 

 connected with cotton growing. In 1913, 62,113 letters were 

 received and despatched an average of 207 per working day. 

 There is a large and efficient staff in Manchester and Africa, 



