4 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



The Nodular Worm. 



This issue of the Journal contains a valuable contribution by 

 Sir Arnold Theiler od the Nodular Worm and the lesions caused by- 

 it. The effects of the nodular worm infection show themselves both 

 in lambs "and sheep, but more acutely in the former, and many farmers 

 have been puzzled as to the cause of the wasting condition and death 

 of their stock, not connecting it with the presence of the worm. 

 Others have seen the worm, some drawing special attention to the 

 fact that although our remedy was very effective against wireworm 

 it was not so against the nodular worm in tlie large intestines. This, 

 the author states, was known, as, at the time of the first issue of the 

 drug, efficacy against wireworm only was claimed, though it stands 

 to reason that, with the removal of the wireworm, a sheep will stand 

 parasitic infection much better, therefore, sheep dosed regularly with 

 the wireworm remedy are less subject to the effects of worm infection. 

 The article sets out very clearly the description of the disease, the 

 complications resulting from infection, the life-history of the worm, 

 and contributes valuable data on a matter of considerable importance 

 to sheep farmers, and calls for their special study, for, qtioting the 

 author, " the only effective way to deal with the nodular worm infec- 

 tion is to prevent the entry of the worm into the sheep." 



Production and Consumption of Spirits in the Union. 



The report of the Superintendent of Excise for the year 1919 

 contains most interesting information which should be studied by all 

 concerned in our viticultural industry. Referring to the consumption 

 of Cape spirits (produce of the vine) the Superintendent points out 

 that, as expected, the consumption, as ordinary liquor, of Cape wine 

 spirits in 1919 was 2.5 per cent, less than in 1918. He is of opinion 

 also that the inordinately high prices obtained for wine vspirit and 

 wine, only explained by trade rivalry and speculation, will prove in 

 the end to be most detrimental to the industry, for a lowering of prices 

 will not bring a return of the trade which has been lost on account of 

 the high prices. Some of the effects resulting from these high prices 

 are (a) the utilization of Natal spirits for making gin hitherto made 

 from wine spirits; (6) the substitution of Natal spirits for wine or wine 

 spirits in vinegar-making; (c) the non-production of canteen or 

 other cheap wine ; and (d) the conversion of good wine — even sherries, 

 ports, etc. — into spirits. The manufacture of whisky in the Union, 

 preparations for which were made as a result of certain tariff condi- 

 tions, was substantially encouraged by the high price of wine. In 

 respect of the export of spirits from the Union to countries oversea 

 rendered possible on account of conditions set up by the war, it is 

 disappointing to learn that the hopes of retaining this market on the 

 removal of these conditions have not been realized. Our production of 

 Cape wine spirits has increased from 2,201,392 proof gallons in 1918 

 to 2,248,782 proof gallons in 1919, and the latter quantitj^ exceeds the 

 consumption for the year by 30,925 i)roof gallons, and at the end of 

 1919 the stock on hand was equal to about five months' supply. On 

 the other hand the production of Natal spirits (produce of the sugar- 

 cane) has decreased from 1,934,040 proof gallons in 1918 to 1,576,619 

 proof gallons in 1919, on account of the demand by the Imperial 

 Government for spirits having disappeared since April, 1919. 



