94: Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



CROP REPORT. 



November, 1920. 



In the course of his monthly weather report, the Chief Meteorologist states : — 

 Taken as a whole, weather conditions during November were favourable to 

 agriculture over the Transvaal, except in the western section, particularly the 

 District of Lichtenburg, where some farms have had no ploughing rain yet ; 

 also parts of Potchefstroom and Rustenburg. In Natal rain is badly needed 

 for ploughing, but growing crops and stock seem generally in good condition, 

 and the veld is looking well; also in Zululand. Although the weather condi- 

 tions were, generally speaking, not too favourable to ploughing operations in the 

 Orange Free State, the good rains of the previous month, in conjunction with the 

 showers that fell in November, prevented crops from suffering to any serious 

 extent, and stock generally are in good condition, although the veld was getting 

 dry towards the end of the month. In the Cape Province the fruit crop is 

 ripening earlier than usual, whilst the harvest in Namaqualand is described as 

 satisfactory. The unusual heat and strong winds prevented full advantage 

 being taken of the occasional good showers for sowing, and the drought is 

 making itself felt over an increased area ; crop prospects poor generally over 

 the summer rainfall area. Cut-worms are attacking the young mealies in the 

 Winburg District of the Orange Free State, whilst insect pests are more trouble- 

 some than usual in the Weenen District of Natal. 



WHEAT, OATS, AND BARLEY. 



The reports received at the end of November from correspondents are the 

 final ones in respect of the wheat, oats, and barley crops, which by this date 

 have generally reached maturity. The season in the south-western districts of 

 the Cape Province, Avhere the greater portion of these cereals is produced, was 

 favourable, and as a rule correspondents reported very little variation from 

 normal, although slight rust has occurred in parts. In the north-west also the 

 season was favourable, but in the other portions of the Cape Province the crops 

 have suffered from the drought, very seriously in some districts. In the Trans- 

 vaal and Orange Free State some parts received favourable rains, while others 

 were not so favoured, which, combined with damage from hail, birds, and insect 

 pests, has reduced the estimated final yield. The following statement shows 

 the condition of the crops on the 30th November, 1920, indicating the extent 

 to which the yield, wh,ich should have been obtained had the season been an 

 ordinary favourable one, has been affected by adverse conditions — 



Province. 



Cape 



Transvaal 



Orange Free State ... 



Average for the Union 10 9 16 16 



The estimated crop yields this year which are in excess of that estimated 

 last season, especially in the case of wheat, are as follows: — Wheat, 2,434,000 

 bags of 200 lb. ; oats (grain), 1,662,000 bags of 150 lb. ; oats (hav), 38,279,000 

 bundles of 7 lb. ; barley, 364,000 bags of 1-50 lb. 



