The research that the Engineering Department has so far confirmed regarding underground water movement will be supplemented in 1912 by a study of the effect of this water on the growth of cotton plants. The Agricultural Department will collaborate with the Engineering Department in studying this subject. A special botanist has been employed for this purpose, with the assistance of the Agricultural Department's botanist.

Cotton-planted area in 1911 - The area planted with cotton in 1910 was 1,644,610 feddans, and in 1911 it reached 1,711,228 feddans, an increase of 68,681 feddans. The area planted with superior varieties in Lower Egypt increased compared to 1910. The Afifi variety occupied 165,677 feddans, and the value of the varieties increased as seen in this table: 11,158 Abassi 41,944 Yanoukis 37,303 Ashmouni 18,438 Newari 11,963 Sakalidis (its area did not differ from others in 1910) The Ashmouni cotton grown in Upper Egypt constitutes 93 percent of the cotton grown there.

Visit of delegates from the British Cotton Growing Association and the Secretary of the State Cotton Association - Two delegates were sent to investigate the reason for the decline in the grade of Afifi cotton and the reported decrease in the yield per feddan. Their opinions regarding the value of different varieties relative to each other provide useful insight into the variety needed by the State Cotton Association.

Publications of the Agricultural Department - In 1911, the department published twenty-two bulletins on agricultural topics, many of which relate to cotton cultivation. These were distributed throughout the country. One bulletin on how to plant cotton was included in every bag of cotton seed sold to small farmers. Another, related to insects, was publicly read in farmers' villages. The department publishes an agricultural magazine and has published pamphlets on the two diseases of wheat rust and smut. It also publishes ten monthly reports on seasonal conditions, summarizing responses from inspectors in the provinces and others, intended to prevent price manipulation.

Cotton Market - The price of cotton this year was lower than in 1910 due to