Report of the Department of Agriculture. 505 



and Transvaal Provinces made provision accordingly, but the Union 

 Government continued to give grants to societies in the Orange Free 

 State and Natal. Owing to the serious fall in revenue, it was decided 

 to discontinue from the 1st April last grants to the societies in these 

 two Provinces, except the Central Society at Bloemfontein, whose 

 grant is entrenched by Act of Parliament. It is understood that in 

 the Transvaal also such grants are no longer made. 



43. Fertilizers Regulations. — The systematic purchase and 

 analysis of samples were arranged, and should establish beneficial 

 protection to farmers by ensuring that fertilizers accord with the 

 composition guaranteed. The arrangements only come into full effect 

 after the period covered by this report, and will be reflected in that 

 of the following year. 



44. Guano. — The production in 1921 was 8500 tons, which is a 

 large decrease on the record production of 10,445 tons in 1920. The 

 unfavourable yield was due to very heavy rains during the breeding 

 season. 



A reserve of about 5000 tons had been built up to meet a possible 



short production. It was thought advisable to reduce this reserve so 



as to allow of a greater production of wheat, and the reserve was 



-consequently reduced by about 1000 tons. The total quantity sold 



was 9423 tons in 1921 as against 8535 tons in 1920. 



The price of wheat having fallen to 20s. to 22s. 6d. per bag, 

 a low figure compared with the cost of production, which remained 

 high, the Government decided to reduce the price from £10 to £8 

 per ton. Notwithstanding this reduction, the demand was less than 

 that of the previous year ; no doubt due to the reduced purchasing 

 power of w^lieat growers in common with other sections of the farming 

 community. 



The main items of revenue for the last two years, ended 30tli 

 June, were : — 



1921-22. 1920-21. 



Guano £76,752 £91,556 . 



Sealskins 19,710 23,812 



Penguin eggs 3,892 3,728 . 



The total receipts for the financial year 1921-22 were £115,817, 

 and the expenditure £02,283. 



Sealskins realized on an average 39s. 9 id. each, a very satisfac- 

 tory price. The collection this year was the largest yet made, 

 namely, 10,129. 



45. Z?m7)f/s.— During the period 1st July, 1921, to 30th June, 

 1922, 1375 additional brands were registered in the Transvaal Pro- 

 vince, 82 in the Cape, and 7 in the Orange Free State. 1362 branding 

 irons were supplied by the Government contractor during the period 

 stated. 



The sum of £372 was collected for registration fees and £1280 

 for branding irons supplied at cost price. 



The total number of brands registered in each Province to 30th 

 June, 1922, w^as as follows :— Transvaal, 25,599; Orange Free State, 

 1618; Cape Province, 6,049; total, 33,266. No Brands Act is in 

 operation in Natal. 



