% IS III. AGRICULTURE.

12. Cotton Crop.

The total area planted with cotton in 1909 was approximately 1,530,000 feddans, being somewhat less than in the preceding year. During the early part of the season, and indeed down to the end of August, there seemed eveiy probability of a record crop. An ample suppl}* of water wae available during the summer, and, as a general rule, the climatic conditions were fwourable. In spite of these encouraging ieatures, the ultimate yield—amounting according to the latest estimate to about 5 million kantars— caused general disappointment and was, both in quantity and quality, much below that of recent vears. The reasons of this sudden and unexpected falling off are still somewhat obscure. No doubt insect pests were exceptionally active. The cotton-worm inflicted a certain amount of damage to Jhe growing crop, while in very many districts the appearance of the bollworm late in the season was responsible for the greater part of the loss. The Government are taking such steps as are within their power to mitigate the ravages caused annually by these scourges. The administrative measures prescribed by the law of 1905 for the destruction of the cotton-worm were put in force throughout tlie country. 77 special inspectors and 167 assistants were appointed at a cost of about £E. 5,500 to supervise the operations, and 110,000 children requisitioned to pick the contaminated leaves in localities Avhere labour was scarce. There were 10,000 prosecutions of cultivators for not destroying the worm, and 650 omdehs and sheikhs were punished administrative!}' for neglect of duty in this connection. Unfortunately the efficiency with which the campaign was organized and carried into execution was to a certain degree neutralized by an especially severe visitation of this pest. As for the bollworm, which in 1909 was even more destructive than the cottonworm, the Khedivial Agricultural Society has made a very thorough investigation into its history, and, as a result of its recommendations, a decree b.as been passed prescribing certain measures on the part of the fellaheen which will, it is hoped, help to reduce the ravages occasioned by this insect.

It has hitlierto been an article of faith amongst native cultivators that the severe rotations put in force whenever the summer supply of the N ile is low are detrimental to the cotton and are largely responsible for the recent decline in the yield; this theoiy is, however, discredited by the fact that this year the summer supply was all that could be desired, and consequently- rotation restrictions were removed at a very earl}’- date. It is clear, therefore, that other and more recondite causes, which perhaps vary in different parts of the coimtiy, must be sought to account for this phenomenon, and in my last year’s report I enumerated the chief e.xplanations which had so far been suggested. With a view of obtaining all the information available upon a subject of such vital importance to the prosperity of the country, the Government have appointed a special commission, containing representatives of all sections of the community interested in the production of cotton, to examine the question. The commission has been divided into two branches, of which the fiist is studying questions connected with the soil; such as irrigation and drainage, and the second conducts investigations into the life history of the plant and the enemies by Avhich it is attacked.

Two points which will no doubt engage the very special attention of these bodies are (1) how far the diminution of the yield is due to fluctuations in the level of the water in tb.e siib.«oil, and (2) whether the seed itself is deteriorating. The former point is closely connected with the drainage question, and there is no doubt that in some districts, especially those in the north of the Delta, the drains ai*e insufficient to serve the very considerable increase which has taken place in the cultivated area. This defect is more severely felt in years of good Nile, as the native cultivator has a tendency to water his crop too heavily’- whenever a sufficient supply is available, with the result that the drains become congested. In former reports, 1 have mentioned that the importance of this matter is fully recognized by the Government, and that large sums are being spent yeaidy to improve the drainage system of the country. Though, however, insufficient drainage may account for the poor yield of certain parts of the country under cotton, it is not by itself an adequate explanation of the general tendency of the yield to diminish, and facts can be adduced to show that the tendency is equally observable in high lands where the question of drainage does not enter at all. Again, admitting the imperfection of existing drainage facilities, there has leen no sudden and general failure of the system as a whole which could account for the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.