PKODUCTTON OF AMERICAN" EGYPTIAN COTTON. 3 



Egyptian cotton until very recently has been produced commer- 

 cially only in the delta and lower valley of the Nile River, in Egypt. 

 During the 10-year period from 1907 to 1916 the Egyptian crop 

 averaged annually the equivalent of 1,292,400 bales of 500 pounds 

 (see Table I). 



CHARACTER AND SUPPLY OF EGYPTIAN COTTON. 



Egyptian cotton is a distinct type, both botanically and commer- 

 cially, comprising several varieties and having staples ranging from 

 1£ to If inches. The history of cotton growing in Egypt since 

 the present definite type was' developed in that country about 65 

 years ago has been marked by the successive appearance of numerous 

 varieties. Each of these, after having been extensively grown for a 

 number of years, has shown marked deterioration due to inter- 

 crossing. 



The most striking characteristics of the Egyptian fiber are its 

 length of staple combined with great strength and fineness. The 

 older varieties, Ashmuni and Mit Anfi, are characterized by a brown 

 or, more properly, pinkish buff color of the fiber, but the Sakellaridis 

 variety, which is now highest in favor among spinners, is nearly 

 white, or almost as light in color as Sea Island cotton. In 1916 this 

 variety occupied 62 per cent of the total cotton acreage of Egypt. 



Egyptian cotton is used especially in. the manufacture of goods in 

 which strength or fineness or a combination of both qualities is de- 

 sired. Some of the principal articles manufactured from this cotton 

 are sewing thread, hosiery, automobile-tire fabrics, and fine and 

 fancy dress goods. Until a few years ago mercerized fabrics were 

 made only from Egyptian cotton, but the process of mercerization 

 has now been developed so that other cottons can be successfully 

 treated. " Balbriggan " underwear was formerly manufactured 

 exclusively from the brown Egyptian cottons, but dyed white cottons 

 are now also employed for this purpose. 



The cotton crop of Egypt is grown entirely on irrigated land in a 

 climate which is practically rainless throughout the period of de- 

 velopment 'of the cotton plants. The absence of rain during the 

 picking season favors the production of clean cotton. During the 

 10-year period from 1907 to 1916, the area in cotton in Egypt 

 averaged 1,684,000 acres, and the average yield per acre was about 

 380 pounds. 1 



The recent annual production of cotton in Egypt is shown in 

 Table I. 



About 60 per cent of the Egyptian crop is exported to Great Brit- 

 ain. Imports into the United States during the period from 1908 to 



1 These averages are computed from data given in Monthly Return, Ministry of Agri- 

 culture (Egypt), Nov. 30, 1917, p. 5. 



