olG -Toi K.NAL OF rilK DkI'AKTMK.NT OF AGlUtULTURE. OcT., 1922. 



CEDARA, NATAL. 



Commercial Beans. — 'I'lu' white bean is pret'eiable tor export. 

 The lollow iii<^' \aiieties of wliite (iwarf beans did well at Cedara 

 (luriim- the season l!J21-22 (yield per acre in lirackets) : — White Dwarf 

 (i:)(!(i ]!;.), White Haricot (1250 11..). White Canadian Wonder 

 (lOOO lb.), i''lajj;eolette (040 11).). Sn<iai-beaiis have also done well. 

 Tlicse supply a local deniand. .\atal Su<;ar and Best of All were 

 touiid most suitable at Cedara,, tlie yield per acre bein,L>' 1400 11). and 

 1000 11). respectively. 



()! runner beans, the Boinba juoved the most prolific, jiiving a 

 yield of over 1000 lb. per acre; it is, however, an awkwaid bean to 

 handle on a lar<^-e scale, owing to irregnilar ripenin<i- of pods. Of 

 the abovenientioned varieties of White Dwarf beans, the " White 

 Haricot " would be a good coininerciaJ bean to grow. The " AV'hite 

 Dwarf " is a variety wliicii has been undergoing trial for three 

 seasons, and was originally started M'itli only a small quantity of 

 seed, so there is not sufficient seed available foi' i)lantiiig on a large 

 scale. 



Bone meal has proved to be a very eHicient fertilizer, used at 

 the rate of 250 lb. per acre. As a quick acting fertilizer, 20 per cent, 

 superphosphate would be very useful. 



The best results at Cedara were obtained from seed sown early 

 in November. The varieties named flowered in 44 days, jxidded in 

 54 days, and were harvested as dry beans in 00 days. lie;ius sown 

 at a later period (December to January) produce tiowi is at a time 

 when the Mylabris is particularly active, and consequently very few 

 pods are formed, lieans sown late in January matured in !)() days, 

 but did not crop as \v(dl as those ])binted in November. 



Field Operations for October. — The farmer's attention during 

 this month shoidd be- directed towaids the tliorough ])reparatioii 

 of land in order to form seed beds for the main crops. A well pre- 

 pared seed bed will lessen the expense incurred in after cultivation 

 and with better results. in tlie case of laud ready for second 

 ploughing, this operation sln/uid be done if possible when a good 

 weed growth is in evidence, and by so doing (1) a further supply of 

 humus is incorporated with the soil; (2) weeds are eliminated. 



Substitute for Butter-fat in Milk, — Linseed may ])e grown as 

 a substitute for butter-fat; boiled linseed mixed with separated milk 

 forms a rich diet for calves. Amount of seed ])er acne, 20 lb. to 80 lb. 

 sown broadcast. 



Maize. — In tlie colder districts mai/e may be planted this month. 

 Useful varieties: — Mid-late in maturing, Hickory King (white dent), 

 Potchefstroom Pearl; mid-early in maturing. Natal Eight Row 

 (yellow Hint), Chester County (yellow dent), Iowa Silver Mine (wliite 

 dent). T^se only selected seeds with a high germinating i)ercentage. 



Beans. — (lood commercial bea.ns ready for harvesting within 00 

 days after i)lanting: — Small White Haricot, Flageolette, Natal 

 Sugar. Where the growing seascui will permit, and the soil is 

 of good fertility, it is possible to harvest two bean crops of the 

 above varieties in one season. This is a matter which should 

 receive caietul consideration with regard to crop production. 



Artichokes for pigs may still he planted in October; the tubers 

 will pro\ide an exctdlent feed during the winter months. 



