A COTTON FIELD OF THE FUTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16096, 20 September 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

A COTTON FIELD OF THE FUTURE.

810 WORK BEING DONE. MAKING A DAM TWO MILES LONG IN THE SUDAN. 7000 MEN WORKING NIGHT AND DAY. Makwar, a small town on the Blue Nile, some eight hours' train journey south-east of Khartoum, is witnessing the beginning of a project of vital importance to both England and the Sudan. The waters of the Blue Nile, rich in a flue fertilising sediment, are io be carried over an enormous tract of land which has been found to bo capable of producing the finest cotton. To this end a dam Is being thrown across the river at Makwar, and thousands of miles of irrigation canals are being dug through the area to be cultivated. When completed, the dam will be nearly two miles long, and will provide a storage of over 650 million cubic yards of water. Between seven and eight thousand men are engaged on this part of the work, but It is hoped to stem the river this year, so in June, when the flood reaches its highest level, the partially finished dam will be completely under water. Diverting the River. Meanwhile, the main stream has been diverted and the old river bed presents a wonderful scene of animation. Scores of enormous -cranes swing to and fro across space, placing blocks of granite carefully into position; piles of scaffolding soar far into the air; long lines of trains convey tons of cement made at the factory near at hand; an army of workers toils far below, like a huge colony of ants, each engaged in his allotted task; and above and around it all hangs a dense pall of smoke, bestowing a final touch of powerful beauty to the colossal scene.

The work goes on unceasingly—by day under a baking sun, the temperature averaging 106 degrees in the shade: and by night under enormous arc lamps, which throw everything into bold relief, presenting a wonderfully grand sight to the onlooker. Visitors to Wembley will have the opportunity of seeing a model of the dam in its completed state, and so of obtaining a clearer idea of the important work it seems destined to do.