IIeport of the Department of Agriculture. 513 



The annual sale of live stock was held in (October, 1921, the prices 

 obtained lor all classes of stock being a record for this Institution. 

 The gross receipts amounted to £2364. 



Develupment. — Among other works the following were carried 

 out: — (1) Four acres were sown to cluster pine. The germination 

 of the seed was good and the growth of the trees satisfactory. 

 (2) Ten thousand sugar-gums and pine trees were planted on different 

 parts of the farm. (3) The small plantation of 2000 sugar-gums 

 planted on the Klapmuts boundary of the farm made remarkably 

 g'ood growth. (4) A borehole 160 feet deep was sunk and is yielding 

 between 6000 to 8000 gallons of water per day. (5) 942 fruit trees 

 were established during the year. These consisted of almonds 80, 

 apricots 299, peaches 406, prunes 157; varieties of fruit specially 

 suited for drying purposes were planted. 



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

 winter crops (grain, hay, and grazing crops), 200 acres; (&) summer 

 crops (silage, grazing, and soiling crops), 65 acres. The standard 

 of the grade herd of Friesland cattle was considerably improved by 

 the continued use of young pure-bred Friesland sires from Elsenburg. 

 The herd at the 30th June, 1922, consisted of 40 cows, 20 hei'fers, 

 and 42 calves. 



The young pear orchard gave remarkably good returns, the bulk 

 of the fruit being handled at Elsenburg. The returns from the vine- 

 yard were also satisfactory, most of the crop being converted into 

 raisins. Between 500 and 600 fruit trees were planted. A borehole 

 was sunk io tlie depth of 145 feet, the casing being driven into solid 

 granite rock. The daily yield from this supply of water is estimated 

 at 30,000 gallons. 



10. Glen: M. ./. Juuhert, B.S.A., Principal. 



Afiricnltural Conditions. — The depression continued throughout 

 the year. The price for horses remained practically stationary. There 

 was a slight advance in cattle prices. The price of wool improved 

 considerably, but very few farmers benefited, as the majority 

 of clips were sold before the advance took place. If prices can be 

 obtained for the next clip equal to present prices, many farmers will 

 be saved. Heavy losses were sustained and considerable expense 

 entailed owing to severe drought during the latter half of the summer, 

 followed by an extremely cold winter. It is feared that a large 

 percentage of this year's lambing crop has been lost. 



Increased attention was given to pig-breeding. 



Many requests are made for assistance in grading up herds, and 

 queries received regarding grading, feeding, etc. ; unfortunately, the 

 Institution is not in a position to meet all requirements. 



The need for more extension work in the economic production 

 of live stock crops is urgent and cannot be delayed mucli longer. 



The organization of farmers on the whole has retrogressed in 

 the Orange Free State. Occasionally there is a revival, but it is 

 only of short duration. The weakness is the lack of system. Until 

 a general plan of organization is formulated for all farming pursuits 

 this difficulty is bound to occur. Co-operative societies have done 

 a great deal of good. The membership of some has remained 

 practically stationary for the last six or eight years. This shows 



17a 



