EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE. 



warping we have to make an allowance for other benefits 

 derived.- and which have been already touched upon. 



From the circumstances of the case it is clear that the 

 sediment is in a verv fine state of division, and from 



/ 



actual practical experience it is evident that the nitrogen 

 becomes available for the plant, under the climatic condi- 

 ions prevailing, at a greater rate than would perhaps be 

 thought. We think, for the pucposes of an approximate 

 estimate of its manurial value, we may consider the ni- 

 trogen at 7o% of its price in such soluble nitrogenous 

 manures as nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. 

 The phosphoric acid may be valued at half the price of 

 soluble phosphoric acid in superphosphate. As regards 

 the potash, it is present in the form of very minute 

 particles of felspar, and W% of its price in ordinary 

 potash manures may be considered approximate. In this 

 manner the value of the deposit from a strictly manurial 

 point of view is roughly as follows : 



s. d. B. (1. P.T. 



Potash (30/0 of 16 6 ) = 50 = 2U 

 Phos.ac. (5096 .. 5 1 ) = 2 fi = 12 

 Xitroprpn (75^ .. 10 2 i) = 7 G = 36 ?> 



= 1.5 or 73 P.T. 



or approximately 75 P.T. per feddan. 



A glance at the analysis given will show that, as a 

 general manure, Nile mud is poor in nitrogen, and this 

 is entirely consistent with Egyptian experience as prac- 

 tically demonstrated in manurial trials. In potash, it is 

 rich, and this is farther confirmed by the result of actual 

 trials for, generally speaking, unless under exceptional 



