The PRESIDENT. The next paper is upon Cotton Growing in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, by Mr. ARNO SCHMIDT, who has received the Association medal for the past year for his papers. upon Cotton Growing in Egypt and Cotton Growing in India. As stated in connection with the presentation of that medal, Mr. SCHMIDT cannot be in this country at this time, although we hope to see him here again later in the year. On account of its narrative character and length, it is not feasible to have this paper read in full, and in the absence of the author, I will request the Secretary to present it by title, which will afford the members opportunity to read it at their convenience in the printed Transactions.

COTTON GROWING IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN. ARNO SCHMIDT, Secretary, Internationel Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations, 15 Cross Street, Manchester, England.

I propose to give first an outline of the general conditions obtaining in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, and then to describe what I saw during my journey of inspection.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan extends from the 22 degrees to the 5 degrees northern latitude. The boundaries are: On the north, Egypt; on the east, the Red Sea, Eritrea, and Abyssinia; on the south, Uganda and the Belgian Congo; on the west, the French Sudan. The whole of the course of the White Nile and almost the entire Blue Nile are within the boundaries of the

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Khartoum is the seat of the Government. The city of Khartoum has about 20,000 inhabitants, whilst Khartoum North has almost 40,000, and the neighboring Omdurman 50,000. Wadi Halfa, on the Egyptian frontier, is the most northern town.

The area of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is about one million square miles. North Sudan has very little rainfall indeed, the climate there being almost identical with that of the south of Egypt. As we go further south the rainfall increases.

The population was estimated last year to be 3,000,000, but an exact census has never been taken.

Owing to the comparative prosperity and security which the country has enjoyed during the last few years, there is no doubt. the population is increasing very rapidly. It must also be borne in mind that as the water from the Blue Nile is not

allowed to be utilized from March 1 to July 15, so as not to interfere with the Egyptian water supply, there is that period of the year in which no crops can be grown in the Sudan, and that these months must be used for the preparation of the fields for the coming crop. This is different from the case in Egypt, where crops are grown all the year through, and where in consequence, the labor requirements are much greater.

Some people maintain that the population of the Sudan would not be sufficient to work cotton plantations on a large scale. From my own observations, and from the statements of high

officials who are constantly traveling through the Sudan, I know that there is an abundant number of boys and girls between the ages of twelve and fourteen to be found in every village, and consequently in a few years' time (that is, when Sir WILLIAM GARSTIN'S scheme will at its earliest come into operation), the population of the Sudan will have increased very considerably. There is no doubt that the present generation is very robust, and that owing to the hardships suffered during those terrible years of the Khalifa's rule only the fittest have survived.