Crop Report. 



379 



CROP REPORT. 



February, 1921. 



Maize. — The area under crop this season is estimated to be 5 per cent, 

 less than last year's acreage, due principally to dry conditions prevailing at 

 the usual sowing time and to a shortage of labour. According to Census 

 statistics the actual crop reaped last year was 12,296,833 bags, but our crop 

 correspondents reported that the return from the acreage that season was not 

 an ordinary full (or normal) one, being considerably affected by the prevailing 

 drought. Taking this into account, and allowing for the reduced sowings this 

 year, it is estimated that the 1920-21 maize crop should produce 13,972,5U0 bags 

 if the season proves to be a favourable one. Unfortunately, conditions have 

 thus far been adverse, and at the end of January the crop was estimated to 

 be 15 per cent, below normal, improving by 2 per cent, at the end of February, 

 so that at the latter date the indications are that the originally estimated 

 production of 13,972,500 bags (the normal yield for the acreage) will be 

 reduced by 13 per cent. 



Kaffir Corn. — Subject to the same conditions governing the maize crop, it 

 is estimated that the area put under kaffir corn this season is 20 per cent, 

 less than the previous season, the curtailed acreage being most marked in the 

 Cape Province. The crop itself, unfortunately, is being seriously affected by 

 the unfavourable weather experienced thus far during the growing season, and 

 at the end of January the crop was estimated to be 18 per cent, below normal 

 in condition. There was no improvement during February, the average crop 

 condition for the Union still being 18 per cent, below normal. Both in respect of 

 maize and kaffir corn, the Orange Free State crops are, on the whole, suffering 

 most from adverse climatic conditions. 



Tobacco. — The acreage planted out is reported to be smaller than that of 

 last season's by 10 per cent., Uustenburg, the largest producing district of the 

 Union showing a falling oft' of 15 per cent. The weather thus far has also 

 been a retarding factoi .aid, instead of an ordinary full crop being reaped, 

 indications at the end of January pointed to a crop 17 per cent, below normal. 

 There was, however, a marked recovery during February and, at the end of 

 that month, the tobacco crop of the Union was estimated to be 7 per cent, 

 below normal. 



Sugar-cane. — The 1919-20 season was estimated to have produced 190,000 

 tons of sugar, a record for the Union, but the output during the current 

 season is expected to be 140,000 tons as against an estimated consumption of 

 160,000 tons, so that the balance will need to be imported. 



Plant Nurseries in Quarantine as at 1st March, 1921. 



