512 Journal of the Department of Agriculture.— Dec, 1922. 



The entire herd has remained free from tuberculosis for several 

 years now. All cattle are tested yearly.. 



The stock sale on 24th June was not up to expectations. The 

 slump in cattle and the poor attendance seem to have been the factors 

 responsible for the low prices. 



9. Elsenburg : W. A. K. Morkel, 31. Sc, Actinp Priticipal. 



Agricultural Conditions. — Everything considered, climatic condi- 

 tions were exceedingly unfavourable for the profitable production 

 of all cereal crops, but for the growth of summer crops they were 

 most favourable. Owing to the poor returns in all cereal crops, farm 

 commodities did not change much in price. Milk was a regular glut 

 in the market throughout the spring and early summer, and in 

 conseciuence the prices realized 'for dairy stock were not more than 

 average. Owing to the large surplus the market value of wine was 

 in many cases below the actual cost of production. For wheat and 

 other cereals, prices were barely above the cost of production. 



Extension and other Work. — The amount of extension work 

 exceeded that of the previous year ; this service has been expanded 

 6o much that the Institution cannot possibly meet the demands made 

 upon it. 



The analysis of materials reached a large volume, principally 

 soils, wines, water and fertilizers, milk-testing, and the germination 

 of seeds. 



At Mariendahl extensive experiments and inquiries in the nature 

 of research are in progress in the various sections. Many have been 

 running for several years, and a number of important new experi- 

 ments have been nndertaken. 



A comprehensive series of experiments in the cross-breeding of 

 pigs and feeding for the production of bacon was completed. 



Much experience was gained in methods for the control of 

 codling-moth. 



The Farm..— Die total area under cultivation was {a) winter 

 crops, i.e. grain, hay, grazing crops, 393 acres; (6) summer crops, 

 i.e. silage, grazing, soiling, and vegetable crops, 173 acres. The 

 principal crops grown were oats, wheat, rye, vetches, maize 

 for silage purposes, and rape. In addition, sweet sorghums, Sudan 

 grass, barley, kale, sweet potatoes, kaffir melons, mangolds, and 

 sunflowers for silage purposes, were also grown. 



All sheep, excepting the merinos, made satisfactory progress. 

 Attention has already been directed to the inadvisability of keeping 

 merino sheep in this area, and as a result a considerable number were 

 disposed of at our annual sale and also culled. The pure-bred Suffolk 

 Down flock again proved to be very successful, and an excellent lamb 

 crop was obtained. 



Both the Friesland and Jersey herds made steady progress. A 

 new Jersey herd-leader, " Inkerman Cid," son of the world-famous 

 " Cid," was imported from England in August, 1921. His first crop 

 of calves have just been dropped and give every promise of proving 

 highly satisfactory. This Institution is the possessor of the first 

 Jersey cow in the Union to qualify 'for the advanced registry, and 

 also the record (official) butter-fat production Jersey cows. Over 

 75 per cent, of Friesland cows have qualified for admittance to the 

 advanced registry. 



