- 37 -Chapter Three On Public Works 15 - Drainage I mentioned in the introduction the new works related to drainage reform. The increase in irrigation water due to the Aswan Dam included summer cultivation in all of Lower Egypt and the reclamation of lands partially cultivated and their expansion to the low-lying northern areas, preparing them all for cultivation. This necessitated the creation of an adequate drainage system. The result of reclaiming these lands was that the cotton planted in them yielded a poor crop in quality and quantity compared to the cotton planted in the southern regions of Lower Egypt, where natural drains were sufficient to drain excess irrigation water, and the lands that were cultivated in summer after the construction of the dam. And between the reclaimable low-lying lands and the southern region where natural drains are still few, and a central region that was harmed by the increase in summer cultivation. Its yield decreased due to high salinity and waterlogging caused by increased irrigation. The new works are intended to benefit these low-lying lands and this central region. Drainage, according to the method intended for implementation, has proven its benefit by increasing the yield per feddan of all crops, especially cotton, as demonstrated by the experiments of land reclamation companies and the Domain Department, whose drains were deepened and the water level lowered. Either by gravity or by raising it with mechanical lifting devices, the land's fertility increased. Some small works have been carried out in recent years to deepen some drains in the aforementioned areas, but it became clear that if true reform is desired, then large-scale works encompassing much wider areas than those benefiting from these drains are necessary. Lower Egypt was divided into its natural divisions, as divided by the branches of the Nile and the large canals. Two of these divisions were chosen for immediate reclamation: a section of Beheira Governorate west of the railway between Egypt and Alexandria, and a central section of Gharbia Governorate between the El-Qased Canal and the Sea of Shibin.