THE TECHNOLOGIST. [June 1, 1865. 



504 NOTES ON EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE. 



hind leg roped together. Horses with this pace are much sought after 

 by effete old Turks. The price of horses has now gone up considerably ; 

 formerly they could be obtained for riding purposes at from 61. to 10/. 

 The sheikhs and principal people ride mares. The Egyptian donkey 

 reaches a development both of mind and body unknown in less favoured 

 climes ; he can live on less food, sustain greater and more continuous 

 fatigue than the horse, and carry almost as heavy a burthen ; his only 

 deficiency is want of speed. He, too, has the camel motion, and his 

 paces are the same as those of the horse. Owing to his endurance and 

 strength it is found cheaper to wear him out than use him well. If a 

 European riding a donkey in the intricate streets of Cairo loses his way 

 (one takes a donkey in Cairo as a " Hansom " in London), the best 

 thing is to give his steed the rein, and without fail it will find the 

 nearest way back to its station. The price of a good donkey with 

 saddle is now 12/. Some fetch a high price, however ; for instance, a 

 white Meccan ass, ridden by the Sultan in the Garden of Shoubra 

 during his visit to Egypt, cost 500/. It will be remembered that the 

 prize was taken at the Donkey Show by Mis Highness the Prince of 

 Wall's, with an animal eiven by His Highness the Viceroy during the 

 royal visit to Egypt. The sheep are small and poor. Last year the 

 English Government sent out twenty-five picked sheep, of best races, 

 bought for 400/., to cross with the native breed, under the superintend- 

 ence of a member of one of our well-known Norfolk sheep -breeding 

 families ; but when the Arabs saw the big Leicesters and compact 

 Southdowns contrasting so strangely with their own diminutive race, 

 " Wullah," said they, " this is a device of the Christians to make us eat 

 pork ; these are no sheep, but pigs with wool on them." These splendid 

 animals, thus despised, cooped up in an old stable, soon began to suffer 

 from too great a growth of hoof for their heavy bodies, which super- 

 induced foot rot, so that they gradually drooped and died. This scheme, 

 that if properly carried out would have increased the wealth of the 

 country, there being no difficulty from the climate, was thus rendered 

 abortive. 



The Mack pig would flourish, but religious prejudice is opposed to 

 his increase. Doys are under the same law, but numerous instances of 

 sneaking kindness to these animals on the part of the natives show that 

 they possess the human friendliness for the race, although opposed to 

 their creed. White turkeys, fowls, pigeons, doves, and plover, abound. 

 Snipe, quail, wild ducks, and geese are plentiful in their season, though 

 the latter have a sardine-like flavour, only to be subdued by abundant 

 sprinkling of lemon juice. The Bedouins also bring desert hares to 

 market, which have little flavour. 



4. Labourers. — Taking everything into consideration, an English' 

 farmer with capital would soon make a fortune in Eg}-pt after studying 

 the climate fur a time, provided he could make sure of labour. The 

 fellaheen are naturally a mild, gay, inoffensive race, with plenty of 



