106 EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE. 



bad, that crops which are sown rather late or early require 

 much seed, and that when the seed-bed is good less seed 

 is required. On good land, the plants grow larger, and 

 require more space, in a good seed bed the seed germinates 

 better, early and late sown crops require more seed, either 

 because germination is hindered, or because the plant 

 enemies are favoured by the season of sowing. 



Seeds are sown broadcast, in drills, in holes, and in 

 special seed-beds. Most seed is required when the seed 

 is sown broad-cast, least when it is sown in a special seed- 

 bed. Only such plants as can be easily and safely trans- 

 planted can be sown in special seed-beds. In general, 

 plants which develop a very deep tap-root cannot be sown 

 in seed-beds. Seedlings are transplanted from a very dry 

 seed-bed into flooded land. To give the transplanted 

 seedlings a greater chance to survive some of the leaf 

 surface may be removed and damaged roots may be cleanly 

 cut to quicken the formation of new tissue. The cereal 

 crops are best drilled, maize and cotton dibbled i.e. sown 

 in holes, and the forage crops sown broadcast. 



Crops are sown in the land when the soil is wet, moist 

 or dry. Berseem is sown on wet soil, wheat in moist and 

 cotton in dry soil. Best germination is got from seed 

 sown in moist soil except in a few special cases. Crops 

 are sown on wet soil when the seeds are very small, and it 

 would require exceedingly tedious cultivation to ensure 

 their germination in moist soil. In basin land, sowing on 

 wet soil permits of the crop being started at least ten days 

 earlier than if the land were cultivated after drying. 

 Crops are sown on dry soil when it would delay sowing 



