120 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



available for distribution and will be advertized shortly. Uwing to 

 ihe drought it was impossible to establish teff and it will be necessary 

 to re-sow after the next raiu\s. Most of the maize for silage has been 

 planted, w'hile ground is being prepared for potatoes and mangels. 



Experimental Section. — Favourable reports on the American 

 No. 8 wheat distributed last autumn are coming to hand. This wheat 

 has so far proved to be the best bird-resistant variety and yields very 

 well. A breeding plot of Eureka maize was planted ; also 

 miscellaneous crops. Lack of rainfall has been a serious drawback this 

 month. 



Poultry.- — A large numl)er of White Leghorns and White Wyan- 

 dottes are available for disposal. 



The 100 Bird Intensive House, which was fitted up during 

 November, has now been filled with 40 White Leghorns and 

 White Wyandotte pullets ; the remaining birds are to be put in when 

 the weather is cooler. 



Horticulture. — A good deal of fruit-drying will be done to 

 prevent waste in the orchards. Where fruits have been damaged by 

 hail or growers consider that prices realized on the markets do not 

 compensate them, the dried article has much to commend it. 



Spraying trees against fruit-fly (using Mally fruit-fly remedy) 

 should be continued, particularly w-ith late-ripening peaches, 

 nectarines, and plums. At this time of the j^ear the greatest danger 

 is that of side-injury. Budding over undesirable varieties to more 

 suitable ones may now be done. Suckers should be removed from 

 all trees (i.e. those growths which >spring from the root below the bud 

 or graft). They are of no value and retard grow-th in the tree itself. 

 All fallen fruit should be picked up and destroyed by boiling or 

 burning, to assist in controlling pests. Cultivation of the orchard 

 should be practised as often ais possible to check w^eeds and conserve 

 moisture. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



All the senior students, thirteen in number, passed their final 

 examinations, and were awarded the Diploma in Agriculture. This 

 is the first batch of students to complete their two years' course at 

 this institution. On the eve of their departure a farewell was given 

 to them by the members of the lecturing staff, at which the newly- 

 appointed Secretary for Agriculture was present. Mr. H. A. Curling 

 was presented with a gold medal by the Technical Ofiicers' Associa- 

 tion for being the best all-round student, while Mr. E. Kemm was 

 awarded a gold medal by the Friesland Breeders' Association for 

 being the best Friesland judge at the inter-school contest which was 

 held at the Bloemfontein Show in March last. Next year's senior 

 class will number about thirty. 



Namerous applications are being received for the special course 

 in dairying which will be conducted here instead of at Grootfontein 

 as heretofore. The course will commence on 15th Februarv. 



