00,000 acres.
Although on the large farms iron ploughs, and threshing and
grain-cleaning machines, have been introduced, the small cultivator
prefers the simple native plough made of wood. Corn is threshed by a
_norag_, a machine resembling a chair, which moves on small iron wheels
or thin circular plates fixed to axle-trees, and is drawn in a circle by
oxen.

_Crops._--Egypt is third among the cotton-producing countries of the
world. Its production per acre is the greatest of any country but,
owing to the restricted area available, the bulk raised is not more
than one-tenth of that of the United States and about half that of
India. Some 1,600,000 acres of land, five-sixths being in Lower Egypt,
are devoted to cotton growing. The climate of Lower Egypt being very
suitable to the growth of the plant, the cotton produced there is of
excellent quality. The seed is sown at the end of February or
beginning of March and the crop is picked in September and October.
The cotton crop increased from 1,700,000 _kantars_[3] in 1878 to
4,100,000 in 1890, had reached 5,434,000 in 1900, and was 6,750,000 in
1905. Its average value, 1897-1905, was over L14,000,000 a year. The
cotton exported was valued in 1907 at LE.23,598,000, in 1908 at
LE.17,091,612.

While cotton is grown chiefly in the Delta, the sugar plantations,
which cover about 100,000 acres, are mainly in Upper Egypt. The canes
are planted in March and are cut in the following January or February.
Although since 1884 the production of sugar has largely increased,
there has not been a corresponding increase in its value, owing to the
low price obtained in the markets of the world. Beetroot is also grown
to a limited extent for the manufacture of sugar. The sugar exported
varied in annual value in the period 1884-1905 from L400,000 to
L765,000.

A coarse and strong tobacco was formerly extensively grown, but its
cultivation was prohibited in 1890. Flax and hemp are grown in a few
places.

Maize in Lower Egypt and millet (of which there are several varieties)
in Upper Egypt are largely grown for home consumption, these grains
forming a staple food of the peasantry. The stalk of the maize is also
a very useful article. It is used in the building of the houses of the
fellahin, as fuel, and, when green, as food for cattle. Wheat and
barley are important crops, and some 2,000,000 acres are sown with
them yearly.