IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE. 163 



In many parts of Egypt agricultural drains do not exist, 

 hi these places water is generally lifted by sakieh or pump 

 and no excess is used, whilst the land is high enough to 

 have a low water table to which the irrigation water sinks. 

 But as Government have now a vast system of main drains 

 all over the country, it would be wise if proprietors made 

 their own agricultural drains to join up with those main 

 drains. 



Drains are subject to great abuse. It is a common sight 

 during high Nile to see drains running full cf red water 

 undistinguishable from canals. The proximity of a drain 

 tempts the fellaheen to run into it from a canal all the 

 water tl.ey do not need, instead of closing the canal at its 

 head. This abuse <>f drains and waste of water should be 

 more effectually checked by adequate supervision and 

 substantial h'ne or imprisonment, 



Drainage is always effected in Egypt by means of open 

 (1 rains. Where a sufficiently low outfall can be had, the 

 minimum depth should be one metre, and if a greater 

 depth can be attained so much the better. Depth of drain 

 increases depth of feeding ground for the plant. 



Drained land, whilst losing the stagnant water of satur- 

 ation, is more retentive of moisture than undrained land, 

 and better able to resist drought. 



The soil of Egypt will make canal banks without being 

 subjected to the process of puddling /. e. kneading it up 

 with water. It is therefore by no means a porous soil, 

 and yet drains one metre deep and fifty metres apart work 

 well and draw from the distance of twenty -five metres, 

 and this too where the object in view is not merely 



