EGYPTIAN LAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 4

EGYPTIAN LAND

SYSTEMATIC PRODUCTION SOLDIERS’ INTEREST Although serving as soldiers with the First Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt several members of the Young Farmers’ Club are utilising part of their leave to study farming and allied interests in the East. According to letters received by Mrs. F. D. Tennent, of Papakura, from her son, Corporal B. A. C. Tennent, of the 2nd Divisional Cavalry Regiment, young farmers have visited various agricultural institutions. Writing of a visit to the Cotton Research Institute at Giza, Corporal Tennent said the Egyptians have now reached a standard where they guarantee a 98.8 per cent germination for their poorest grades, and the better types have only four failures in 1000 seeds. They develop new strains, making continuous tests for spinning qualities, lengths of fibres, productive values and fertility. A visit to the Cotton Museum is also described by Corporal Tennent who suggests that a similar institution for wool should be established in New Zealand. The museum depicts the entire industry from the time cotton seeds are planted until the product is manufactured and used in various trades. “It is very interesting to see farming as it is done in the Nile country close to the river,” the letter adds. “Each little section has an irrigation trench running around it, and the water is diverted as each block is drenched. We saw ploughing being done by a brace of oxen and a primitive wooden plough.” Reviewing a horse and cattle show Corporal Tennent writes that the crossbred cattle are similar to the Jersey in appearance, but more rawboned and bigger. The sheep are of the fat tail variety producing poor quality wool. “Horses here are taught to dance the hula, being draped in coloured saddle cloths,” he says.