278 



A reference to the comparative value of flood and low Nile 

 water as a fertilizing agent is made, drawing attention to the 

 fact that the disintegrated rock which largely comprises the 

 si'lt is not lost by canal irrigation or reservoirs, as is frequently 

 maintained. 



The deterioration in quality of the cotton is chiefly due io 

 Earias boll-worm attacks of the second and third pickings. 

 The effect of the low Nile of 1913 may be experienced in 1915, 

 due to the inability to plant a land-washing crop such as rice 

 in 1914, and the consequent return of salt. 



The general stability of Egyptian conditions, the improb- 

 ability of a permanent decline in the quality of the cotton crop 

 in the near future, and a suggestion of the position of the 

 country without cotton are referred to. 



The extension of area and the effect on the quantity of 

 cotton produced having been treated, two important factors 

 influencing the quality are brought to notice : the first, the 

 effect produced by the approximation of a large number of 

 different varieties of cotton plants and the defects in the 

 ginning of the crop; and the second, the occurrence of insect 

 pests, chiefly the boll-worm. In both cases the remedial 

 measures which are being adopted are referred to. 



THE IMPROVEMENT OF COTTON BY SELECTION. 



By J. STEWART J. McCALL, P. A.S.I., C.D.A.Glas., 

 Director of Agriculture, Nyasaland. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



Under this heading a general review of the progress of the 

 Cotton Industry of Nyasaland is set forth, and special atten- 

 tion is directed to the necessity of Government control at the 

 ports of entry, to prevent the promiscuous importation of 

 many varieties of seed. 



Careful tests on a Government Experimental Farm are of 

 real value to a new country and form a safeguard against the 

 production of mixed staples, which are practically unsaleable 

 and give the centre of production a bad name. 



It is further recommended to use all possible influences to 

 preserve one distinct variety to each district at least, and it is 

 considered after five years of experiment that better results 

 will be obtained by selection from acclimatized stock rather 

 than frequent importations of exotics. 



