Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎55v] (110/176)

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natural cross-fertilisation which occurs in the held. This experiment was carried
out in considerable detail, and the results, when available, should do much to settle
a question which vitally attects the problem of degeneration in Egyptian cotton. A
large number of exotic types of cotton have been grown in a special held set apart for
this purpose at Giza. The botanical and commercial characteristics of these types,
as well as their suitability to Egyptian conditions, have been studied.
300. Flax. —A small quantity of seed was imported of a pure line of tall hax,
which had originally been raised by Mr. Bateson at the Jones Innes Horticultural
Institution, England. This seed was grown in comparison with the “ Beledi ” and
the “ Continental ' ’ types of flax ordinarily found in the country, with extremely
encouraging results.
301. Cereals. —Ninety difterent varieties of wheat were sown in plots, and full
records kept; selections were made in each variety for trueness to type and resistance
to disease. Variety tests were made in various parts of the country in order to
compare wheats previously selected; and numerous experiments were made in
hybridisation. Several varieties and strains of maize were sown with a view to
special selection and bulk selection for purity of type, and a start was made with an
American system of self-fertilisation, as a means to the eventual isolation and
subsequent combination and multiplication of the best plants. Ten varieties of rice
were sown on the Government farm at Gemmeiza, and the crops were subjected to
field selection for purity of type.
302. Mycology. —A careful study was made of the sore shin disease in cotton,
and after many experiments strong indications appeared that by a slight change in
the methods of cultivation the disease could in a large degree be remedied.
Researches were also made into a variety of diseases of wheat and citrus trees, and
several fungous diseases of other crops, the cause of which was previously unknown
in Egypt, have been successfully diagnosed.
47. Horticultural Service.
303. Vegetable, flower and fruit-tree seeds are produced on a large scale at
Giza Gardens on the outskirts of Cairo, and sent throughout the country, and some
600,000 young fruit and timber trees were distributed from the gardens during the
past year. Travelling inspections are made by staff, who also advise the provincial
councils on road-planting and the making of parks and nursery-gardens. Successful
experiments have been made in the cultivation of the Persian lime, and in retarding
the ripening of the Italian lemon, while navel oranges and various sorts of Japanese
plums, first introduced into Egypt some years ago by the Horticultural Service, are
now largely grown and have appeared in the Cairo and Alexandria markets. The
gardens also provide a training centre for gardeners, of whom twenty-four left
during 1921, after three years' training, to take up public and private horticultural
posts in different parts of Egypt.
304. Among other activities of this Department, I may mention the Orman
Botanical Garden, which is chiefly devoted to the cultivation and study of a great
variety of eucalyptus trees; the encouragement given to fruit-growing in Upper
Egypt by the experimental orchards at Esna; the Kerdasa date-palm nursery, where
5.000 shoots have been planted during the year and experiments made in cultivating
grapes and other fruits on sand ; and the planting of figs, olives and vines at El Burg
in the Mariut district, west of Alexandria, famous of old for its vineyards.
48. Agricultural and Veterinary Education
Higher School of Agriculture, Giza.
305. On the 1st April, 1921, the number of students attending the school was
seventy-nine. Twenty-two were successful in the final diploma examination held in
June. On the 31st December there were only sixty-seven students, the number
seeking admission having again been disappointing. Until the 18th December, the
anniversary of the declaration of the protectorate, the conduct of the students was
satisfactory, and discipline was well maintained. In the subsequent trouble all the
students absented themselves, with the exception of three; but there was no disturb
ance in the school itself.
306. The recently introduced system of excursions has proved an undoubted
success, and the interest taken by the students has been very gratifying. A botanical
and entomological museum and a debating society have been started.