70 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



by the scarcity of essentials, the acreage under crop in the Union was 

 increased oenerally and especially in wheat and maize. It is signi- 

 ficant, also, that reported shrinkaoes in acreage were due almost 

 entirely to adverse climatic conditions, and in a number of cases to 

 lack of fertilizers and seed. Scarcity of labour was also a cause of 

 restricted sowings in some districts, but while the war drew from the 

 country a large number of coloured and native persons it did not very 

 materially aggravate the agricultural labour question which has been 

 and continues to be a source of difficulty in parts of tlie Union. 



The Customs returns of exports hereunder demonstrate the extent 

 to M'hich agricultural and pastoral products were exported, showing 

 generally a marked increase on pre-war exports and pointing to a 

 gratifying extension of the agricultural industry. 



It may be mentioned liere that the activities of tlie Department 

 of Agriculture were severely handicapped during the war owing to 

 the absence of many of its officers on <Vctive Service, the difficulties of 

 obtaining- new officers, and the restriction of expenditure, in addition 

 to its having to cope with special functions and questions arising out 

 of the war. 



It is clear tliat the scarcity of overseas supplies did affect our 

 agricultural development, but to what extent no statistical data are 

 available. In spite, however, of this retarding influence the country 

 progressed agriculturally, and to-day it holds a more important posi- 

 tion among the world's agricultural producers tlian it did before the 

 war, while its future prospects have ncA er been brighter. The position 

 at the end of 1919 in respect of the adequate supply of certain essen- 

 tials was still somewhat obscure and trade far from normal, but with 

 the withdrawal of restrictions and the resumption of manufactures the 

 position is steadily improving, so that it is hoped that at no distant 

 date adequate supplies will be available to meet the Union's i-pquire- 

 ments. 



Value of Imports of certain Articles used 

 IN Agriculture. 



* Including Cattle Dip. 



t Including i:i3(i.419 from Australia. 



