The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-18
The Khedive Of Egypt
BY FRANK G. CARPENTER.

portant for Egypt as irrigation. and that there are vast territories here which proper drainage might bring into use. This is so of some lakes near Alexandria, There is just as much danger from an oversupply as from amp undersupply of the Nile waters. The floods contain a certain amount of salts of one kind or another, which are injurious to the crops if the water lies too long upon the land, and this has to be removed.
 During my talk with his highness I asked him as to his farming and whether he really gave it his personal attention. He replied that he did so, and that he was in telephonlc connection with each of his estates and received daily reports from all of them.
 We talked of the fertilization of the Nile valley. The khedive said that the land was exceedingly rich, but that it could be improved by adding phosphates and other artificial manures. He told me that farming was improving throughout Egypt, and that the agricultural depart ment is teaching the people the value of good seed and of intensive cultivation.
 I asked him what would be the effect of the raising of the dam at Assouan. He answered that 1t would double the quantity of water that Is now being held back and that 1t would add millions of acres to cultivated Egypt. He says hhdt ahC EoNci Dao otiSi SCAelileS under way which will materially increase the farming possibilities of his country.
 The Ixhedive's Big Farms
 During his conversation his highness spoke at length as to some of his farms suggesting that I might find 1t interest ing to visit them. He has redeemed over 20o0 acres not far from Cairo. The land was poor and swampy and some of it was desert. His highness drained and IT, riRafad if a nd if hrfnpc it1 nous revenue
 He has another big farm near Alexan- dria and another at Koubbeh. The latter estate is model plantation of 800 acres. It is equipped with the most scientific machinery and implements and its build ings comprise a model village, with which is connected a school club, a mosque and an up-to-date fire station. The khedive has breeding establishments there, and he imports the finest cattle and poultry. He Is noted as horse lover and has recently inaugurated a company to improve the blood of the Egyptian horse. His position is such that he can get the finest of the Arabian sires and the best pure blooded stallions from Ne- jid Arabia are sent to him by the Be- douin sheiks. He is also interested in camel and mutt breeding and has some of the swiftest of dromedaries. Some of his camels can travel 75 miles a day, and are worth as much the finest horse His highness exhibits at many of the agricultural shows, and is often among the prize winners there.
 His Daily Life
 During our talk asked the khedve as to his daily life. He replied that he had all he could do from daylight to dark but that he believed in hard work, and thrived upon 1t. In addition to his off, cial duties, which are many, he has the management of his own estates and va rious enterprises. He said that many of his days from o'clock in the morning until 6 o'clock at night were taken up at the palace.
 From other sources learned that the khedive is almost as strenuous as Theo- dore Roosevelt. He rises at o'clock in then morning. and, after dressing and attending prayers at a mosque, he takes long drive In carriage or motor car through one of his farms. Sometimes he goes on parade and attends a review of troops. He is usually back for break fast at 7:3o, or rather for his cup of cof- fee, for he takes little else. After this he looks over his official papers until noon, when he has lunch. or breakfast. as 1t is called here. After breakfast he chats with his visitors and gives recep- tions of one kind or another, and then reads or works away until sunset, when he again goes to his farms. At or s o'clock he Is back in the palace for din- ner,- and his evenings are spent with his family
 The khedive Is a sportsman. He rides well and shoots straight, and, like our own strenuous ex-President, cah wear out almost any man of his suite.
 The Palaces of the Khedivc
 The khedive has a half dozen palaces. The Abdine palace, where I was re- ceived, Is his chief official residence It Is a. struggling pink and white building with a grand staircase, enormous rooms and gorgeous furniture. It is lighted with electric lights and carpeted with rugs mostly from Europe. The furniture Is European.
 The khedive's bedroom has a marble bathroom attached, with special arrange ments for shower and douche, but there is no Turkish bath, as in the homes of most oriental rulers, His study looks like workroom. It has a big library table in the center. and his highness has telephone always at hand. The ball room of this palace is large, and 1t Is especially gay every winter on the oc- casion of the khedive's annual ball, to which 1500 guests are invited. Connect ed with this room high up is lattice work, through which the yelled ladies of the royal harem can peep down and
 
 then strains of the band.
 Another official palace is that of Ras- el-Teen, at Alexandria. This lies right on the harbor with a beautiful outlook over the Mediterranean sea. His favorte resi- dence near Alexandria is at Montaza, which is within a mile of Aboukir bay, made famous by Nelsons victory over the French fleet there about a century ago. This latter estate was reclaimed from the desert only few since. It has now forests of quick growing trees and parks which have been stocked with game from Europe. The khedive has a camel corps on the farm, and he starts out from there with Bedouin rid CTS to make long excursions into the des- ert. The place lies right on the sea and the khedive's yacht Is often seen there at anchor.
 His royal highness has a turbine yacht which is said to be one of the finest on the Mediterranean. It was of about Il knots, built 40 or more years ago. This was sent back to Glasgow and rearranged throughout The ship has now Parson turbines and three screws. It can make IT knots an hour. and has averaged 17A knots for a long distance. The yacht is beautifully fur nished in European style, and it's ap- pointments are those of millionaire.
 Rich Ruler
 As to the wealth of the khedive, he has I doubt not, millions and to spare He is a money maker as we'll as a money saver and the English government al- lows him out of the revenues of the country $5O0.000 a year. He has single estates which will, I venture, approxi- mate s1 000, ,OoO In actual value. and stocks and bonds in many of the best institu-