302 Journal of thk Df.i'aktmknt of Acjkicultuee. — Oct., 1922. 



firm to accept the risks and sliip, say, not less than ten tons for dis- 

 posal on the English market. Eveji if unremunerative the loss 

 would be insif^nifirant, while the trial consignment would indicate 

 very clearly whether the export of lucerne is a feasible proposition or 

 not. It is a matter coiisequently for local enterprise. 



On the Continent, Mr. Spilhaus negotiated with a well-known 

 Rotterdam firm in close business relations with Czecho-Slovakia, and 

 was informed that if the price was acceptable and the quality of 

 the lucerne satisfactory on arrival, they could easily place 10,000 tons 

 or more after the receipt of a trial shipment. Such a shipment, in- 

 deed, has now gone forward to this iirm, at -£7 per ton of 2240 lb. 

 c.i.f. Eotterdam. The price of £7 is not the highest that can be 

 paid, and it is expected that as soon as the quality of South African 

 lucerne is known, better prices will result. This trial consignment 

 consisted of fair average quality lucerne, passed by the rTOvernnient 

 Grader after examining the lucerne in respect of sweetness, dryness, 

 foreign matter (i.e. containing noxious weeds), sweating (which in- 

 duces mouldiness) and colour. It may be mentioned that of the 

 quantity sent forward for shipment, a number of bales was rejected 

 by the Government Grader on account of sweating and the colour not 

 being up to standard. In his report the Grader states that there was 

 room for improvement in selecting' the hay for baling, and that the 

 balijig was not as good as it might be : there were bales round Avhich 

 the wires (three in number) were not tight enoug'h, were not ])laced at 

 even distances apart, and not round the centre of the bale. 



Haymakijig this year was very much delayed in England by wet 

 weather, and the yield of meadow iiay and seed hay was estimated 

 to be from 15 per cent, to 20 per cent, below the average. Tliis, in 

 conjunction Avith the low stocks carried over from last season, wotild 

 indicate a probable scarcity before the end of +he year, and it may 

 be that prices will advance and a demand be created for supi)lies of 

 imported feeding stuff of this character. On the Continent also con- 

 tinual showers of rain made it very difficult for farmers to get in 

 their hay, and it is reported that there will be a considerable shortage 

 of hav in Holland as well as in Germanv and Czecho-Slovakia. 



The Journal's Index. 



I'he index to Volume IV of the Joi/iikiI has been compiled and 

 will be issued, together with this ntimber, to all recipients of the 

 Journal. It comi)rises 12^ pages of subject items, and as they refer 

 to six numbers only of the Journal, it will he seen that the matter 

 is treated very comprehensively. An index of this nature is of great 

 assistance to all engaged in the industry of agriculture, and we would 

 urge readers to have each index bound together with the ruunbers of 

 the Journal it covers. Every volume \\'ill contain sound and useful 

 information which, emanating from the l)ei»artment entrusted with 

 the development of agricultui'e in all its branches, will be of lasting 

 help to every farmer in South Africa, for its value is constant anO 

 does not pass with the years. 



