22 Journal op the Department of agriculture. 



London; Bartmann, A., Johannesburg; Badenliorst, I. P- J., Graaff- 

 Reinet. 



The following students have been recommended for scholarships : 

 Messrs. Wyche, Eider, and Du Toit for further study of sheep and 

 wool; Mr. Wessels for Angora goats and mohair. These students 

 showed great promise and much benefit is expected to result from 

 their further studies. 



It is intended to hold a similar course in 1921, commencing 

 immediately after Easter, which will again be limited to twelve (12) 

 students. All candidates will be required to pass an entrance exami- 

 nation before being admitted. There is no doubt that this special 

 sheep course occupies a unique position, and it is very much doul)ted 

 if there is any other institution in existence in the world which gives 

 students so good an opportunity of gaining special and general know- 

 ledge so suitable to sheep farming in South Afiica. 



Lucerne. — In the Hankey area, iluuter River and French 

 Provence have both, up to the present, given 2^ ton per cutting per 

 acre. Spanish lucerne has been attacked by rust. In the Fitenhage 

 area, Chinese lucerne which was sown on the 28th May, VdZ{), was cut 

 for the fourth time on the 9th of November; the foliage was remark- 

 ably good, and the cuts throughout the winter gave heavy yields. 

 There is no doubt that this lucerne, which has now been under test at 

 Grootfontein for the past ten years is the finest variety that has ever 

 been imported into the country. 



The experiments in the Sundays River Valley are progressing 

 slowly, due to the lack of water. 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



An investigation in the use of charcoal , made from different 

 varieties of eucalyptus woods, for producing gas in the suction gas- 

 engine has been begun by the Lecturer in Engineering. Tests in 

 duplicate have now been carried out, using as a fuel charcoal from 

 five different varieties of eucalypts during a 6-hour run at slightly 

 over 7 brake-horsepower The results of these duplicate tests have 

 been consistent. The fuel consumption showed no further difference 

 than 3 per cent, in any duplicate test. Gas analysis and test for the 

 volatile matter in each charcoal were made. 



Most of the experiments in summer crops have been laid down. 

 Winter cereals have been harvested. The wheat crosses developed 

 satisfactorily, and selections have been made for the continuation of 

 this work, whicli has for its principal objct the production of a rust- 

 resistant wheat. Breeding plots of Potchefstroom Pearl and Chester 

 County maize have been planted on the " ear to row " plan. In the 

 orchard, cherries have proved a failure. Apricots, some varieties of 

 peaches, Japanese plums, and pears promise a good crop, but the fruits 

 will be small, due to the lack of rain. 



Live stock are in good condition. The drop of spring calves has 

 not been very satisfactory, due to the drought of last year. A calf- 

 feeding experiment in the hand-feeding of calves, using different sub- 

 stitutes for the fat in milk, has been got under way. 



Shearing has just been compleied. The Wanganella flock, of 

 approximately 150 head, averaged llf lb. wool per sheep. The 

 Romney Marsh flock yielded an average of 10 lb. The Romneys are 

 proving shy breeders, only 16 lambs being obtained from 26 ewes. 



