Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/333

 the porch and shouted, "Whar he? Side!" There upon the Dongalawi followed his master and the three white men to inspect their experimental cotton farm. As befitted the honor of his position, Zack rode a gray donkey, like the Ingleezi. It was only Said who pattered along on foot, for Said was a messenger. In the hopes of hearing better cheer, old Zack stuck mighty close to the Colonel, while the Dongalawi kept his eyes upon the ground; yet Said listened and saw.

The American planter had brought five varieties of cotton seed to Wadi Okar. At intervals of two weeks he planted one experimental acre of each, keeping a detailed record of the dates, method of cultivation, amount of rainfall, development of stalk and fiber, and its ultimate yield. By this means it was hoped to ascertain the most favorable season to plant both American and Egyptian varieties, and to determine which gave the better results.

"There, gentlemen!" With a sweep of his arm the Colonel indicated sixty scattered acres. "There, gentlemen, is a glorious sight, something that the eye of no Mississippi cotton planter has ever rested on. Here is one field already picked, its cotton ginned and baled; in that field is a squad of men still picking; here they are laying by the crop; yonder is a gang of hoe hands, chopping out weeds from the young plants. Over there, the