Eefort of the Department of Agriculture. 



579 



i). Prospects for 1922. — Tlip breeding season 1921-22 was a very 

 o'oocl one, and the resultant crop would no doubt have exceeded the 

 record established in 1920 but for a repetition of the calamitous 

 happenings already recorded in connection with the previous season. 

 Very heavy and unseasonable rains again visited the Colonial Islands 

 during January and February, 1922, but notwithstanding the losses 

 sustained in consequence thereof it is estimated that the total collec- 

 tions for 1922 will be approximatelv 9700 tons, or about 750 tons short 

 of the figures for 1920. 



7. Seahnii. — Xo sealing was undertaken on the south coast during 

 the season 1921, l)ut, as the result of operations carried out on the west 

 coast, 10,129 skins were secured. Of these, 9301 were procured from 

 the islands and rocks off the South-West ilfrica coast — the largest 

 numl)er yet obtained from those sources in any one season — and the 

 balance, 828, were taken from Elephant Eock. 



With the exception of a small consignment of 410 still on hand 

 at the closing date of this report, all skins were shipped to London 

 and disposed of at Drices ranging from 8s. to 58s., or an average of 

 o9s. 9kl. per skin, the total amount realized being £19,337. 



8. Seal Oil. — As there is hardly any demand for this product, 

 and there is still a large unsold stock on hand from previous seasons, 

 very little seal oil was secured in 1921. 



9. Sale of Pienguin Eags. — The total numbei" of eggs taken by 

 the contractors from Dae-sen Island during the season 1922 was 

 535,680, from which a revenue of £3683 was derived. 



10. Renenwe and Expenditiire. — The total revenue derived from 

 the sale of guano, seal skins, penguin eggs, etc. (exclusive of gratis 

 issues of guano to other Divisions, valued at £1779), for the financial 

 year 1921-22 amounted to £115,817, and the total expenditure for the 

 same period (excluding free services rendered bv other Departments, 

 valued at £116) was £02,283. 



Percherons, Glen School ot Agriculture. 



