— 163 — was at first obtained in the sandy, alluvial soils of Tuti Island. At the latter centre and prior to the introduction of brick linings to the main canals, seepage losses were very high, particularly during the earlier waterings. During a first season the duty of water fell to the figure of 738 m per feddan, while the initial watering applied to virgin soil actually absorbed 1,027 m. Such a result was attributed in part to the larger capacity of sandy loams for water absorption, ofEset in part by a longer period of retention, and by the excessive seepage from new canals constructed in these light soils. Large cracks in the underlying clay sub-soil, faulty levelling by unskilled cultivators, the use of too many small channels owing to inability to deal at first with reasonably large quantities of water, were additional causes contributing to this result. In such circumstances, brick-lined main canals are regarded as essential to profitable working and have since been inserted ; and the remaining causes of avoidable loss will disappear with the education of the cultivator in water control.

Methods of Cultivation.—A capital charge not exceeding £E.3 per feddan for pumping station and canal system should leave the land-owner with a mortgageable balance sufficient for the adequate equipment of his holding with draught cattle and implements. In the absence, however, of any adequate loan fund or the machinery for its administration, the greatest obstacle to development and education remains the want of improved devices and labour-saving machinery. The difficulty is exaggerated by the excessive cost of all imported supplies, which render futile suggestions for better methods of cultivation.

Primitive native ploughs are borrowed and lent with their draught cattle as the exigencies of the moment permit, with the inevitable result that planting over the larger part of the area is delayed beyond an approved date, the simultaneous irrigation of a given unit is almost impossible, and the benefit of proper cultivation which would be willingly afforded, are denied to the land-owner. The few ploughs, harrows and cultivators which could be purchased with the funds at disposal have been greedily acquired, even at existing prices, but have been totally inadequate to the demand. The treading of the grain crop on primitive mud threshing floors monopolises draught cattle at a time when their services are urgently required to prepare land for cotton, and thus enhances the direct loss sustained from this faulty method of harvesting. To carry the education of the field worker beyond a training in actual irrigation practice is to create a demand for improved facilities which can only be provided at a reasonable cost when loan funds are readily available at a commercial rate of interest, and charges on imported requisites are reduced to less excessive proportions.

Crop Returns.—Finally, a brief examination may be made of the results secured from the experiment in its initial stages while subject to the handicap