Gardening in Egypt. 



The advantage inland towns have over those on 

 the coast, from a horticultural point of view, is very 

 great ; for not only is the alluvial Nile mud bene- 

 ficial to the growth of plants, but also the lowness 

 of the land in many places, and the close proximity 

 to the river and canals tends much to create a per- 

 manent moist undersoil ; consequently the plants being 

 free from salt and lime, either in the soil or in the 

 air, can grow unchecked, and the only danger that is 

 to be feared arises from the cold winds from the 

 desert. 



Alexandria, on the other hand, apart from its sandy 

 soil, which refuses to hold the moisture, is in many 

 cases tunnelled by ancient excavations, which often 

 cause the ground to subside ; not only therefore is 

 there always a possibility of the rearrangement of an 

 Alexandrian garden becoming necessary, owing to 

 these subsidences, but also the horticulturist has to 

 contend with a peculiar kind of oily dew which is 

 harmful to the plants. 



It is thought by some authorities that this oily dew 

 is caused by the infiltration of the sea into the lake, 

 which leaves during its passage a number of poisonous 

 gases, and as the dew does not ascend high enough 

 to become aerated, it is consequently ' laden when it 

 falls with many of these gases that have risen with it 

 from the soil. 



If water is obtainable, it is possible to grow certain 

 plants on any soil, even in the most exposed positions, 

 but it is always advisable to improve the ground by 

 applying decayed garden refuse, Nile mud, and 

 manure. It will also be found to be a great advan- 

 tage to dig or trench the soil from time to time, so 

 as to allow it to be exposed and become fallow, as 

 the sun in Egypt acts in very much the same way 

 as the frost in Europe in sweetening the ground. 



In planting choice specimens trees, climbers, &c. 

 it is advisable to add a considerable portion of rich 

 compost in order that the plants may become well 

 established before their roots reach the poorer soil. 



