196 Journal op the Department of Agriculture. 



Agricultural Organization. 



It is very evident that farmers of South Africa are 

 realizing- more and more the great importance of organization 

 and the benefits co-operation brings. The agricultural industry, 

 like practically every phase of industrial activity, depends for 

 full success on efficient organization. This has been very patent 

 during the past few years and the spirit of co-operation is 

 spreading" far and wide. The Department has constantly urged the 

 necessity of farmers' organizations and endeavoured to promote the 

 well-being' of our agriculturists through this agency. At this stage 

 of our development when co-operation is recognized as an essential to 

 success, the article on " Agricultural Organization," by Mr. Melle, 

 of the Division of Botany, published in this issue, will be read with 

 benefit by all interested in the matter. In discussing the subject, the 

 author takes three heads, viz., (1) organization of the farm; (2) 

 organization of farmers in regard to the purchase of their require- 

 ments and the disposal of their produce ; and (3) organization in its 

 relationship between the State and the farmer. The article is written 

 in a plain, practical manner, and is designed to add to the cumulative 

 evidence of the necessity for proper organization in our agricultural 

 industry. 



Co-ordination of the Department's Work. 



An important conference of Chiefs of Divisions and Principals of 

 the Schools of Agriculture and Experiment Stations took place at 

 Pretoria in January, 1921, as a result of which certain broad 

 principles were agreed upon for the future working of the Depart- 

 ment. The agricultural industry of South Africa is so intimately 

 concerned with the work of the Department that the subject is of 

 direct importance to every farmer, and we publish elsewhere a brief 

 account of the conference and the matters discussed. The Depart- 

 ment desires to keep in close touch with the farmer, and to this end 

 wishes to make known its aspirations and work through the medium 

 of the Journal and other channels at its command ; it is felt, there- 

 fore, that the importance of the conference will be realized by all, and 

 that the principles agreed upon will prove wise and enduring. 



The World's Crops. 



According to the December, 1920, report of the International 

 Institute of Agriculture the estimated cereal crops for 1920 show no 

 material change in quantity ; the quality of Canadian grain is reported 

 as excellent. The 1920-21 wheat crops of Argentina, Australia, and 

 South Africa were grown on an aggregate area 13 per cent, greater 

 than that of 1919, but 10 per cent, below the five years' average. 



The autumn-sown crops of Europe and the United States have, 

 generally speaking, made favourable progress. In Egypt an 

 increased area will be available for cereals, as it is expected that 

 cotton growing will be reduced owing to the decline in the price. 



Between 12th November and 10th December all the important 

 rates of ocean freight for grain declined by 25 per cent, to 30 per 

 cent., while the prices for North American wheat were also rather 

 lower. 



