The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-01-10
NEED NO 7 FEAR.
The South Must Furnish Cotton
for the World.
so SAYS AN FXPERT.

Little Effect In Increasing the
Production OF Cotton in
Egypt.
That the much exploited Assouan
dam across the Nile will have little
or no effect in stimulating Gotten pro-
duction in Egypt, as has been claimed
for.it, is the assertion OF gentleman
who probably knows more about Egypt
and Eg7tian conditions than any man
in the United States
This gentlemanis Is Cope Whitehouse,
who is now in Washington in connec,
tion with what is known as the Lake
Morris projecG, in which he is inter-
ested, and which has attracted the au'
tention of the governments OF the
United States, Great Britain and
Egypt.
EGYPTIAN COTTON GROWING.
SIN 1884," said Mr.. Whitehonse, In
discussing the matter a day or two
ago, American cotton growers were
tUld that there was an immense area
Of abandoned land, admirably adopted
to cotton cultivat oa, lying between
the cultivated sectinn CT the delta and
M dltelranean. In 1887, the late John
OardWell, of Houston, then consul
general at Cairo made an elaborate
report on the condition and prospects
of the country, as whole. In treat
ing of cotton, Mr.. Cardwell said that
little Of that staple was produced
prior to the time wren the trade Of
ports in the cotton. growing states was
cut eff by the biz cSade during the
civil war. Egyptians then began to
bend their energies to supply; SO far
as lay in their power, some Of the re
sultant deficit. Oae dollar pound
was a great incentive, aid the cululv-
alton of cotton in the Nile valley be-
came general. In 1885 1887, the total
cultivated area of EgvpJ was estima-
ted bv him at 4 49S, $40 acres. with
S26, IA acres OF cotton IN lower Egypt,
aud less than so 900 acres to the
south of Carlo. Olly IA per cent
OF the population was engaged in cot.
ton culture. The cotton crop was then
q sort Of by.prCducu OF the general
agricultural operations, being grown
for export after abundant provision
mad been made for q food supply Of
rice. Indian corn, barley, beans, wheat
to the value of sl3, 900, 900. etc. Sug.
ar cane land in upper Egypt was
worth $50 an acre.
STIMULUS OF BRITISH INFLUENCE.
The Egyptian cotton was used in
the United States In the manufacture
OF cotton velvets or plusbes, princi-
pallY. 1t could never compete with
American sea island cotton at 80 or
35 cents for fine threads, nor with the
average quality of Texan groWthf~ on
account Of the price. The quantity
vas also obvinusl' limited to the
neighborhood Of u m, l,'n acres, so
lcng as there was no government in
reference with the food supply. But
when the British took possession Of
the ministry of public works and Of
finance, in 1884, the cotton crop
became the end and aim Of all their
administrative energies. They forced
the farmers to abandon rice so that
the water might be used for cotton,
and by practically abolishing the I'm
portation of fresh seed and the substi.
tuition of o native seed, known as
init afifi,s 1.-THE quantity was increas
ed and the quality lowered to point
at which 1t could be used in the Eog
lish mills. At later period, reduc.
tion was made in the area allotted to
sugar cane. Egyptian sugar, in beau.
tiiul yellow crystals, was sent to
France to be used with beet sugars.
being conveyed in French steamers,
while the cotton went In British YES
sells to English and Scotch mills.
GREAT PLAN FOR IRRIGATION.
It was in 1887 that Mr.. Cardwell
took copnizance of Mr.. Whitehouse's
work. In his report. he said that
''the curious historical and scientific
researches OF citizen OF the United
States had unfolded a huge plan Of IT.
rigation, known TO the ancients, and
the present Egyptian government.
after at first turning deaf ear to
his propositions, seems at this time
disposed to profit by this mans phil
sophY." But he added warning
that benefits would not be realized
unless foreign power again establish.
ed decay" Under the head "a Grand
Scheme" he then described Mr..
Whitehouse's Lake Morris prc 'cted.
In the cary part Of 1882, Mr..
Wnitehouss visited Egypt and went
t., the desert, where he found val.
Icy corresponding in shape, depth and
position to that which he had found
depicted on a map copied nearly SOC