Report of the Department oe Agriculture. 511 



of the wattle baf>-woim was discovered and studied ; it proved the 

 importance of wilt diseases. Investigations in refJi^ard to wattle bark 

 and other South African tanning materials were continued. The 

 oxidation of arsenical dips in dipping tanks received much attention. 

 The extent of the oxidation was found to he much greater in tanks 

 stocked with proprietary dips than with the plain arsenite of soda 

 dip, only explained by the presence of coal-tar derivatives in the 

 proprietary dip used. Another important test made was that of 

 investigating the reversion of water soluble phosphates in dolerite 

 soils. Three new fungous diseases were found on beans and cowpeas. 

 Seed selection of maize and tuber selection of potatoes were carried 

 out. Among crop experiments the maize manuring trials demon- 

 strated the value of phosphates in the more soluble forms. Inocula- 

 tion experiments with leguminous crops yielded interesting results 

 and indigenous clovers were considerably developed. Variety trials 

 were carried out principally with grasses, beans, and potatoes. 



A world's record for Rhode Island Red Single Comb was 

 established during the egg-laying competition that finished in 

 March, 1922. A pen of four hens produced 904 eggs in 48 weeks; 

 868 eggs were 2 oz. and over, giving an average of 206 eggs per bird. 



A disastrous hailstorm on the 17th March, 1921, resulted in 

 early defoliation, l)ruised bark and destroyed fruit buds, and a light 

 fruit crop in 1922. Fruit-Hy was very much in evidence, and to 

 combat this, blackberries were eradicated from the orchard and 

 worthless varieties of other fruits eliminated. Woolly aphis was 

 very prevalent, and three attempts to introduce the parasite secured 

 from the United States of America were successful. 



The Farm. — Weather conditions had an unfavourable effect' 

 upon yields in this area. Later sown teft' crops failed altogether. The 

 season at Cedara, however, was above the average. Whilst the oat- 

 hay crop was harvested with difficulty, and the potato crop did not 

 turn out too satisfactorily, other crops did well. In Algerian oats, 

 from 100 acres, 2 tons per acre were secured in fairly good condition, 

 while 9 acres were grazed off in spring by test cows. Maize grain 

 j'ielded 1000 bags from 140 acres : a good return. Maize, silage, 

 about 75 acres, yielded poorly owing to a dry autumn. One silo was 

 fillecV ; approximately 200 tons of excellent silage were made. Other 

 crops sown were: — Teff, potatoes, soya beans, linseed, swedes, 

 turnips, rape, Japanese millet, and artichokes. 



There appears to be a demand for the medium heavy type of 

 horse for farm work, such as maize planting, mowing, etc., and this 

 is a promising sign. 



The number of cattle at 30th June, 1922, was: — Frieslands, 4-'); 

 Ayrshires, 29; Shorthorns, 55; and Aberdeen-xVngus, 73 — total, 20(i. 

 The total yield of milk for the year was 19,402 gallons and was below 

 tliat of last year. 



During the year the chief ailment of cattle was gall-sickness. 

 All animals suffering from this have recovered, save one young 

 Aberdeen- Angus bull. 



The contagious abortion cows were transferred to Onderstepoort 

 for research purposes. Three animals v/hicli gave positive reactions 

 were maintained on account of their high individual merit. There 

 have been no fresh cases during the year, which points to the fact that 

 any infection is now confined to the isolated camps. 



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