Simple, hard-working, frugal in his tastes, the Egyptian fellah (pl. fellahin) has much in common with peasants in other parts of the world. But the peculiarities of Egyptian agriculture, the lacl, of rainfall and the fact that one river is the mainstay of his crops has given him characteristics of his own and a special knowledge which is amazing in its extent and degree. It is the considered opinion of many experts qualified. to judge that the Egyptian farmer is unsurpassed in the technical skill which he brings to bear on his daily labour. From the smallest plot of soil he will extract the maximum of yield.