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



Report No. XVI. 



INSPECTION OF GRAIN. 



Chief Inspector of Grain : G. F. NUSSEY. 



1. Exports. — Durino- the year exports amounted to 4,688,897 bag's, 

 consisting" of the following: — Maize, 3,295,544 bags; maize meal, 

 1,282,264 bags; maize grit (rice), 7847 bags; hominy-chop, 42,185 

 bags ; maize flour. 357 bags ; kaffir corn, 14,588 bags ; oats, 38,299 

 bags; beans, 109 bags; lucerne seed, 4858 bags; bran, 2870 bags; 

 manna seed, 10 bags. 



The year 1921-22 was an exceptionally good one in many respects ; 

 the crop was the heaviest yet reaped in any one season, and was 

 uniformly good throughout the Union, as well as in Rhodesia and the 

 adjoining native territories. The total of maize, etc., shipped oversea 

 easily established a record over any preceding year's shipment. 



According to Census figures the 1921 harvest yielded 13,347,237 

 bags, and the consumption for the Union, according to the same 

 source — taken over an average of five years (1914 to 1919) — was stated 

 to be 9,800,000 bags. It will thus be seen that the actual quantity 

 shipped overseas was considerably in excess of the difference between 

 these two figures, and it follows that either the information furnished 

 regarding the actual yield was incorrect or the quantity for local 

 consumption was fixed at too high a figure. 



2. Quality of Maiz>e. — The quality of the products exported was 

 good. Rejections on account of serious causes amounted to 51,672 

 bags, of which 31,794 bags were due to dampness, the result in many 

 instances of harvesting the crop before it was in a properly dry condi- 

 tion, and no doubt also to the eageruess of speculators to ffet early 

 into the market. 



A press circular was issued ])ointiiig out the danger and loss 

 arising out of railing damp maize for export, and Jiotifying the 

 facilities offered for the testing of maize for moisture content. The 

 latter were taken advantage of, and with a continuance it is antici- 

 pated that the railing of damp maize to the ports will in future be 

 greatly diminished. The work m connection with moisture testing, 

 adjudicating on samples as to grade, and the distribution of the 

 various commodities standardized, increases with each succeeding 

 year. 



'■\. Gradiny. — Only one complaint of a serious nature was received 

 in regard to grain shipped from Union ports, and this was in respect 

 of a cargo loaded at Durban consigned to Mauritius. ]Vo other 

 complaints were received, and the general opinion is that our grading 

 is consistent and reliable, and our certificates are held in high repute 

 overseas. 



