128 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. — Aug., 1922. 



malpractices to which the individual is now subject. Capital lor the 

 purpose of manufacturing raw materials is enticed into the country, 

 and local prices are stift'ened up; organization, indeed, resulting from 

 the propaganda work carried out by the Commission in the course of 

 its inve-5tigations, has already been successful in staying financial 

 panics which would otherwise have resulted in bankruptcy to some. 



It is a recommendation of the Commission, therefore, that the 

 Department of Agriculture immediately proceed with the organiza- 

 tion of the farming community. 



Extermination of the Jackal. 



The train of consequences following the system of farming now in 

 vogue due to the presence of the jackal has been described. The 

 animal is a dangerous menace to the State and must be exterminated. 

 This is necessary in order to enable the adoption of the new system of 

 farming needful to stay the processes that now operate to the detri- 

 ment of all. To the farmer extermination of the jackal means large 

 savings in the cost of herding his flocks, more and better wool, greater 

 fj'eedom from stock disease and insect pests, greater protection against 

 scab, and an increased capacity of the farm to carry stock. To the 

 whole community it will lead to the recovery of the country's vegetal 

 covering and the staying of soil erosion. 



The Commission is of opinion that nothing is more calculated to 

 lead to the ultimate extermination of the jackal than jackal oroof 

 fencing, and recommends that the law which now applies to ordinary 

 fencing only, should be amended so as to include jackal fencing in any 

 district wh(;re the majority of owners so decides; also that a law be 

 made that will compel three or more farmers to combine for jackal- 

 proof fencing of the boundary of their block farms if the owners of, 

 say, two-thirds of the area or block desire the same. It considers that 

 in regard to hunting clubs the law is not carried out with sufficient 

 stringency with reference to compulsory hunting, and since dogs are 

 bound to play an important part in exterminating the jackal within 

 the fenced areas (and it is the opinion that the jackal should be pot 

 rid of by pinning him down to an area which will enable complete 

 eradication rather than by driving him away) the Comiuissio)! recom- 

 mends inquiries as to what type or types of dog are best for hunting 

 pujposes. 



Provision of Cheap Fencing Mateimal. 



To put into practice the system of paddocking and to erect ordi- 

 nary and jackal-proof fencing will entail considerable outlay, but the 

 need is so imi)erative that the Commission recommends tliat fencing 

 loans be granted by the State to farmers on the best possible terms, 

 and that under such loans farmers be permitted to put up both 

 boundary and paddock fences, whether jackal proof or not, and even 

 to convert an existing stock-proof into a jackal-proof fence; and, 

 generally to utilize fencing for any purpose calculated to improve the 

 drought-resisting capacity of farms. It is pointed out that, among its 

 many advantages, fencing will, by protection during initial growth, 

 lead to the planting of trees on the veld so useful for the shelter and 

 well-being of stock, and will also permit more extensive planting of 

 spineless cactus, a valuable standby in times of drought. 



