January
1927
I presented the government with an agricultural map of the USSR, just published by the Institute of Plant Industry, and gave a short review of the problems concerning the expedition and about the agricultural management of my country. I also presented a copy of my new book, Centres of Origin of the Cultivated Plants, in English. The regent nodded his head and stated that the wheat in Abyssinia was wretched and that American wheat was much better. He walked into his apartment and brought back a large parcel of maize! “Look at this wheat,” the regent said, “we have nothing like that here!” Nevertheless, I was given permission to continue the expedition.
It was necessary to wait for the official papers. After some days passed by. A messenger from Ras Tafari arrived at the French hotel, where my caravan was being equipped, with an invitation to pay a visit to the ruler of the country in the evening. It was just the two of us. Ras Tafari had mastered the French language fairly well and it was possible to converse together without an interpreter. He questioned me with great interest about my country. He was especially interested in the revolution and the fate of the imperial court. I told him briefly all that was known about it. It was difficult to imagine a more attentive listener. The ruler of Ethiopia listened to the short account about my country and the events which had taken place within it just as to a fascinating fairy tale.
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Was the format of this blog changed? Recently the text is downright microscopic; to read it I have to change the zoom on my IE7 window. Is anyone else having problems, or only me?
Oh dear. I am so sorry. Indeed the design software has changed to a new version, and I did not test in Explorer. I will try and get this fixed as soon as possible.