Notes. 297 



intelligence must, of course, be up to date, and it is not possible in 

 a monthly publication of the nature of the Journal to place before 

 the farming community the latest market rates. The publication in 

 the Journal of the best available market information serves, however, 

 a useful purpose, besides being valuable as a record of the trend of the 

 market, and will therefore be continued, but, in addition, the Depart- 

 ment has arranged, with the co-operation of the Press, to publish 

 weekly throughout the Union cabled information from the Trade Com- 

 missioner, London, regarding the prevailing prices of the Union's 

 principal agricultural products on the oversea market, together with 

 those obtaining for the products of other countries of interest 

 to the South African producer. "While the London market remains 

 the chief index of the trend of world prices, information will also be 

 given from time to time of the rates ruling on certain continental 

 markets. This intelligence will enable the local producer to gauge 

 the state of the oversea market and its relation to the prices to be 

 obtained on his home market, and we trust that every farmer will 

 avail himself of the opportunity thus afforded of being acquainted 

 with the position. 



In order further to assist the farmer in taking an intelligent 

 interest in the production of crops outside the Union, the Department 

 has arranged with the International Institute for Agriculture, Rome, 

 which is supported by and obtains advice from most of the civilized 

 countries of the world, to furnish a monthly cablegram show- 

 ing the latest information on the world's estimated production 

 of certain crops which are grown in this country. The figures of 

 the estimated production are based on reports received from pro- 

 ducing countries at the time the cablegram is dispatched, and in 

 order to accurately gauge their significance, the advice will include 

 also the estimated percentage of such production to the total world's 

 production. In addition, a comparison will be made between the 

 present crop and the crop of the previous season, and also the average 

 crop of the prior five seasons. The first cablegram received was 

 published in last month's Journal, and while at the time of writing 

 the. next has not arrived, it is hoped that the Institute will be able 

 to furnish the information at such dates as will enable it to be 

 published regularly every month in the Journal. 



The Vegetable Garden and the Poultry Yard. 



We conclude with this issue a series of monthly notes, published 

 regularly during the twelve months now ended, giving practical 

 hints on the cultivation of the farm vegetable garden and the care of 

 poultry throughout the year. The seasonable advice contained in 

 these notes should prove useful to the farmer wishing to have a 

 constant supply of fresh vegetables and to ensure the best results 

 from his poultry, branches of the farming system frequently 

 neglected, but which well repay the care they call for. The monthly 

 publication of these notes will be continued, and further information 

 which may be desired will be furnished on application to the nearest 

 School of Agriculture 



