Il6 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



the whole surface. The Delta, that inexhaustible 

 deposit of the riches of nature, furnishes a prodi- 

 gious quantity of it- That which is reaped in the 

 vicinity of Rossetta is in higher estimation than 

 that of the plains which surround Damietta. This 

 superior quality is probably to be ascribed to the 

 mode of preparation, which is more carefully at- 

 tended to in the former of these two cities ; for 

 the nature of the climate and soil is the same. In 

 the neighbourhood of both, the culture of rice 

 succeeds equally well, and its produce is v equally 

 astonishing. The profits of the proprietors of rice- 

 grounds are valued, in good years, those in which 

 the elevation of the Nile produces the greatest 

 expansion of its waters, at fifty per cent, after 

 deducting all expense. 



It has frequently been proposed in France, to 

 appropriate to herself the culture of rice ; it would 

 prove, assuredly, a valuable acquisition to our do- 

 mestic agriculture. But, if we reflect that in 

 Egypt it requires six months to come to maturity, 

 and that, during these six months, it stands in 

 need of constant heat and humidity, few parts of 

 the republic will be found, which promise, for 

 this branch of culture, certain and abundant crops. 



It has been a subject of much discussion, to as- 

 certain whether or not the ancient Egyptians cul-* 



tivated 



