196 



THE WOh'LD'S MEAT FITURE 



Some seven inilcs out of Cairo, at Sliuhri, tliere is in existence, 

 under the ahle control of Mr. A. C. IJranch, a large stud of 

 thoroughbred and Arab horses, cattle, and sheep. Tliis belongs 

 to the Sultanieh Agricultural Society, and was instituted some 

 years ago by Prince Hassan. 



Accepting a kind invitation l)y .Mr. Ui-aneli, I inotoi-ed out 

 recently to inspect it. The drive was interesting, as I ])assed 

 through some of the richest land in Egypt, rented at £22 per 

 acre, and worth up to £350 per acre. Every description of crop 

 looked in magnificent condition. Veritably Egyi)t is a land of 

 plenty. On arrival I drew up at the door of a big brick pile of 

 buildings, and was taken to see the stock. Mr. Branch's pro- 

 fession is that of improving the native stock, and I saw some 

 most interesting results. Naturally mistakes have been made, 

 but that can be taken for granted. For instance, Norfolk rams 

 were introduced into' the native fat-tailed sheep, with the result 

 that the tail was bred out ; then it was discovered that no native 

 would buy the sheep without the fat tails, so now they are busy 

 breeding the tail back again. Egypt has very few animals 

 giving much fat, and the sheep's tails, which are almost entirely 

 fat, giving up to S lbs. weight, are naturally of great \'alue. 



The first Ijull brought out was a real corker, weighing 2200 

 lbs., a native Indl of a light dun colour, called Diarb, seven years 

 old. The next, a little darker in colour, aiul nearly as big, Ibn 



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