Report of the Department of Agriculture. 515 



given tlie correct lead in (a) the economics of prodnction, and (h) tlie 

 conditions of marketing, things will be mncli improved. An active 

 campaign in tlie economics of production in the school and by exten- 

 sion work amongst tlie farmers will do far more good at the present 

 time than other class of woik. 



Angora goat farming is just emerging from the Idackest stage 

 in its history, but assistance is required to establish it permanently. 

 The same remarks apply to ostrich farming, but in a less degree, 

 as Grootfontein possesses the nucleus of a staff to assist the farmers 

 in this direction. Considerable progress has been made during the 

 past year in sheep farming. In regard to cattle, co]ulitions have 

 also improved in the system adopted, but the collapse of the meat 

 market is a serious set-back and it is feared Avill affect the progress 

 towards improved feeding. A very large number of silos came into 

 use during the year, and the silage campaign conducted from this 

 Institution is bearing good fruit. 



E.i'tenrion Work. — Every eft^ort was made to release members of 

 the staff from routine duties to enable them to prosecute work 

 throughout the area, and compared with previous years considerable 

 progress was made. Greater improvement is anticipated as a result 

 of a further rearrangement of the curiiculum wliich lias now been 

 completed . 



E.iperinieni and UeyearcJi. — Extensive tests were conducted with 

 winter cereals, including 350 varieties. The wheat cross-breeding 

 experiments were continued and several promising crosses raised. 

 Selection trials in maize and grasses were among other important 

 experiments in field crops. I^rovision was made for co-operative 

 trials l)y farmers, but the Ijulk of these could not be carried out owing 

 to drought. The experimentalist for the South Coast reported a 

 variety of wheat (known as " Great Scott ") which for four years 

 has proved to be proof against rust in an area where the latter has 

 been very prevalent, and steps were taken to test it extensively 

 throughout the Union. 



An important irrigation experiment was laid down with the 

 object of obtaining reliable data as to the minimum and maximum 

 supplies of water to be used for various crops under Karroo condi- 

 tions. This will be a very comprehensive test extending over a 

 number of years. Considerable attention was given to potatoes, 

 including trials of varieties, storage of seed, and selection of seed 

 from different areas. 



Observations were undertaken concerning the prol)lem of veld- 

 grazing and the effect of different methods of veld treatment on the 

 stock carrying capacity. Investigations regarding the control of the 

 *' Blow-fly " pest are in progress. 



The principal lines of research in chemistry were studies in soils 

 of the Karroo, fertilizers, and sugar-beet contents. Important trials 

 were carried out and results published in regard to the use of prickly- 

 pear as a feed for ditt'erent classes of stock. 



The Karakul breeding experiments were continued and inijiortant 

 investigations commenced with the merino, including the relation 

 of kenip as a breeding character, the effect of altitude, and grazing 

 problems. The breeding experiments with ostriches are progressing 

 favourably, and crosses with the North African birds promise to 

 yield valuable results. Various feeding experiments with poultry 

 for egg production were carried on. The production of vegetable 



