198 PEOF. E. HULL, LL.D., P.R.S., ON THE PEOPOSED SCHEME 



the base of the coliTmns, but by means of a wall of solid 

 masonry even this amoimt of subm ersion will be avoided. 



The sesthetical objections having been thus amicably 

 settled, let us see what are the substantial advantages 

 likely to accrue to Egypt from the proposed works. The 

 works themselves will be of stupendous proportions, and will 

 cost mucli money ; but the experience of the benefits derived 

 from similar works, though on a smaller scale, in Lower 

 Egypt is regarded as fully justifying the expenditure. Let 

 us recollect, as Sir Colin Scott-Moncrieff has stated as the 

 result of his own observation, that uo river approaches the 

 Nile in the fertilizing properties of its sediment. For 

 thousands of years this sediment has proved sufficient to 

 keep the soil productive without recourse to artificial 

 manures. 



Major Brown, who is a high authority on this subject, 

 estimates that the increased profit for Middle Egypt between 

 Cairo and Assyut alone will be as follows : — 



(1) The value of the land will be increased from 



£20,426,400 to £43,575,240. 



(2) The rental, from £3,159,998 to £5,506,905. 



(3) The value of the annual yield from £5,178,786, to 



£9,864,429. 



The " gain to the state " from Lower Egypt has been esti- 

 mated by Mr. E. W. P. Foster, Inspector-General of Irrigation 

 for that province, as likely to vary from £278,000 to £300,000,* 

 to which has to be added £8,000 per annum, the interest at 

 4 per cent, on the sale of cultivatable lands. It should be 

 recollected that at the present day, notwithstanding their 

 productiveness, certain tracts only enjoy perennial irrigation 

 in good years of high Nile in summer, while other parts are 

 u'rigated only when the river rises to an exceptional level. 

 In order, therefore, to obtain from the land its maximum 

 supply of products, it is necessary that all the tracts should 

 be insured a yearly irrigation ; and the ultimate increase to 

 the revenue and gain to the State, which may be eventually 

 looked for on the completion of the works, are estimated by 

 Mr. Garstin, for Middle and Lower Egypt as follows : — 



* The former figure by Mr-. Garstin {Rep. p. 13), the latter by Mr. 

 Foster (Aj^pendix xii, p. 19). In estimating the amount of enhanced 

 vahie to the State, Mr. Garstin exckides Upper Egypt, on the ground that 

 it is exceptionally poor, and distant from a sea- port. The fertile province 

 of Dongola is, of course, not included. 



