Report of the Department of Agriculture. 



581 



4. Screening Maelnnea. — In vi'.nv of the erecliuu oi the eleviiturs, 

 certain points in connection with the roi.g-h screening" machines which 

 are beino- installed at country elevators were inquired into, more par- 

 ticularly the correct mesh of sieves most suitable for screening". As 

 a result of experiments cp'nducted, Mr. Littlejohn Philip, the eng"ineer 

 in charge of the work, has recommended (and this Division is 

 thoroughly in agreement) that the upper screens throug-h which the 

 maize has to pass, but which keeps back pieces of cobs, sticks, and 

 rubbish larger than the grain, based on present g-rades, should be as 

 follows : — Screens with oval holes f inch by h inch for g"rades 1, 2, 3, 

 4, 7, and 8; and h inch diameter round holes for g-rades 5 and 6; the 

 lower screens in both cases to be of \ inch diameter round-hole 

 perforations. Anything- possing throug*h these screens to be definitely 

 fixed for rejection. 



5. .\ew Grades. — As a res\ilt of the foiegoijig, the hxing of new 

 grades, to come into operation with the elevator system, was con- 

 sidered. < )n the instructions of the Secretary for Ag"riculture a formal 

 conference of representatives of the maize industry was held at 

 Johannesburg", when it was unanimously agreed to accept the grades 

 prepared and proposed by this Division. 



The expenditure in connection with this Division for the financial 

 year ended 31st March, 1922, amounted to £7192, whilst the revenue 

 collected over the same period amounted to £11,593. 



In view of the Division's coming- transfer to the Railways and 

 Harbours Administration, I desire to tender my sincere thanks to 

 those officials of the Depaitmeiit witli whom I have been almost in 

 daily contact during" tlie twelve years of my service for their courtesy 

 and assistance. 



