Departmeistal Activities. 211 



to the upper leaves. The disease was prevalent on the experiment 

 station as well as on neighbouring farms, and it was stated that only 

 10 per cent, of the 1920 crop reached its normal development, the 

 remaining plants being stunted. Considerable losses had also been 

 suffered on other farms which were visited. The " verterende roest " 

 is due to a bacterium which is being carefully studied in the 

 laboratory, with a view to devising preventive measures which may 

 bs tested on a practical scale next season. Specimens of tobacco 

 affected by a similar trouble have also been received from Rhodesia ; 

 these are also under investigation. 



Tn the National Herharium the study of the thorn pears (Scolopia 

 spp.) has been completed and an account of this genus is ready for 

 publication. A collection has been made of the Trifoliiimx growing at 

 Groenkloof, and these have been sent to Kew for accurate identification. 



The Agrostolofiist supplies the following interesting note on the 

 nomenclature of kikuyu grass: " We received last mail an answer to 

 a letter addressed to Mr. Stapf on the subject of kikuyu grass, which 

 appeared to have been wrongly named at Kew. I wrote suggesting 

 that the grass was Pennisetmn, inclusum, Pilger, and at the same time 

 sent a sijecimen of a Pennisetuvi which had been collected on a vacant 

 erf at Brooklvn. Mr. Stapf replied that after re-examination of the 

 material of kikuyu and of related species he had established the fact 

 that kikuyu g*rass was not Pennisetum Jongist'l/Ium. as he had pre- 

 viously supposed, but was P. inclusum, Pilger; however, as the grass 

 had been previouslv described under the name of P. claridestivum , 

 kikuyu must henceforth be known scientifically under that very appro- 

 priate name. The grass collected at Brooklyn is an entirely new 

 introduction, P. rillosnvi. nearly related to kikuvu grass. It is a 

 North African grass, which is much cultivated in Europe as an orna- 

 mental plant in gardens, and has probably been introduced mixed 

 with other grass seed. It is reported as a good fodder grass and 

 may be of economic value in this country." 



There has been a great deal of correspondence during the month 

 on the subject of impurities in lucerne seed. Samples submitted 

 were found to contain a variety of impurities, amongst which was 

 the seed of the goosefoot (Chenopodium), a weed which has caused 

 considerable trouble in the lucerne crop. 



THE SCHOOLS OF AGRICULTURE AND EXPERIMENT 



STATIONS. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



Owing to the prolonged and continuing drought, the variety trial 

 test with the maize has failed entirely, and a great many experiments 

 planned have not been laid down. 



The school opened on the 24th January. The number of students 

 enrolled being as follows : Juniors. 16 ; seniors, 29 ; one-year practical, 

 P.; total, 48. 



In addition, fifteen students, all well qualified, have been 

 accepted for the special course in dairying, commencing on the 15th 

 February.* Several applicants for this course had to be refused on 

 account of lack of accommodation. 



*See note under "Grootfontein" in this section. 



