- 82 -1906 | 1896 --- | ---Egyptians | Foreigners | Egyptians | Foreigners | Area of Ownership Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number Feddans | Owners | Feddans | Owners | Feddans | Owners | Feddans | Owners | Feddans | Owners 115917 | 28 | 10 | 4414 | 43819 | 9811 | 10476 | 5 | 26701 | Under 5 feddans 529612 | 16997 | 4901 | 666 | 559881 | 80024 | 5939 | 786 | From 5 to 10 515217 | 21342 | 8311 | 575 | 569301 | 40541 | 10813 | 738 | From 10 to 20 271533 | 11113 | 7260 | 276 | 507959 | 12500 | 9613 | 278 | From 20 to 30 217432 | 1346 | 4159 | 255 | 240890 | 8842 | 17408 | 450 | From 30 to 50 1763175 | 10931 | 593437 | 1004 | 1666447 | 10289 | 35178 | 1486 | Over 50 466625 | 1141634 | 623523 | 6425 | 4437183 | 760721 | 573119 | 6529 | Total I say that these figures are not entirely accurate because they are compiled from reports issued by each town. If a person owned land in several towns, they would be listed multiple times in the figures. When comparing the situation in 1906 to that in 1896, it is important to remember that two things happened after 1896 that increased the number of small Egyptian landowners mentioned in the tax records. Firstly, the Survey Department listed a number of small landowners separately, whereas previously they were listed in the tax records as partners with others. Secondly, the reduction in registration fees made it easier for many small landowners to register their land purchase contracts.

However, the table is not without its usefulness because it shows that small landowners did not decrease but rather increased. If we first look at the distribution of land among Egyptians alone, excluding foreigners, we find that the category of owners holding less than 5 feddans increased in number and the area of land they owned increased significantly. Similarly, the category of owners holding more than 50 feddans increased in number and the area of their holdings increased, but less than the increase in the former category. The intermediate categories between these two have decreased in number and area. The explanation for the increase and decrease is simple. Firstly, as I mentioned earlier, the registration of small landowners of their purchased land has increased. Secondly, inheritance under Islamic law leads to the division and fragmentation of land. Both of these factors contribute to the increase in the number of those owning less than 5 feddans and the decrease in the intermediate categories mentioned above, to the extent of that increase. Secondly, the country is increasing