102 Journal OF the Department of Agriculture. 



Field Crops and Fruit. 



Though, the growth of rape has not been up to standaid this season the 

 crop was of incalculable benefit to stock for grazing purposes during the month, 

 both at Elsenburg and at Mariendahl. The dry weather has been a great set- 

 back to the maize crop, but about 70 tons of ensilage were obtained from 20 acres 

 grown without irrigation. 



Three hundred bags of oats were threshed at Elsenlnirg this month, and 760 

 bags of oats and 10 bags of rye at Mariendahl : 300 bags of seed oats (four 

 standard varieties) and 200 bags of seed wheat (thirteen standard varieties) were 

 available for disposal to fanners. 



The applications for seed numbered over 300, so that only small quantities 

 could be allocated to each aiiplicant. It should be understood that this institu- 

 tion cannot and does not aim to supply to any one applicant more than a 

 small quantity of seed, and from this the farmer is expected to produce his own 

 seed for future seasons. Further, our object is to propagate seed especially 

 suited to the areas served by ElsenDurg. so that no seed is supplied to applicants 

 in other areas. 



The vintage was started on the 6th instant and completed during the month. 

 The chief varieties dealt with being White French, Steen, Hermitage, and Green 

 Grape. Wine Stone (Argol) to the value of £51. 8s. was obtained from the 

 casks. Over 18 tons of grapes from the Mariendahl vineyard were sold. 



The Chalcot and Burbank plum crops were picked, the yields on the whole 

 being poor. The pear crop is exceptionally poor this season, many trees having 

 failed to set any fruit at all. The varieties taken in during the month were 

 Clapp's Favourite, William's Bon Chretien, and Beurre Hardy at Elsenburg, and 

 William's only at Mariendahl. A south-east gale early in the month caused 

 heavy windfalls in both orchards. A quantity of apples, prunes, sultanas, and 

 William's pears is being dried. 



Live Stock. — As a whole the live stock are in excellent condition, though 

 natural grazing is very poor. During the month there were twenty-three cows 

 in milk at Elsenburg and forty-six at Mariendahl. A lot of twelve pigs was sold 

 to the Wellington Bacon Factory at 9d. per pound live weight, and a numbei- of 

 young boars and sows from the experimental pig lots has been booked for sale 

 at seven to ten guineas a piece, prices which speak well for the quality of the 

 animals bred in the experimental lots. 



Experimental and Investigation TFo/7c. — The fifth application of dusts md 

 sprays in connection with the codling moth control experiments was made, and 

 the investigation concluded. Unfortunately the general pear crop of this season 

 is so poor that the records obtained cannot be considered reliable ; the same 

 applies to the records in connection with experiments on fusicladium control. 



In the chicory experiments roots were collected, dried, and roasted, and 

 samples of the ground chicory were submitted to firms in Capetown. It is ((in- 

 cluded that good chicory can be grown in this area. 



A number of samples of agricultural material (fetrilizers, spray fluids, v.ater, 

 feeding stuffs, etc.), was analysed and reported on in the Chemical Laboratory. 



The School. — The 1920 session started on the 2nd instant, the total enrolmint 

 of students being 95. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



January, 1920. 



Climatic Conditions. — Ten duststorms of varying intensity were experienced 

 during the month, the worst being on the 10th. The result of these is seen in 

 the deposit of sand over the place, which is banking up into small dunes. The 

 drought is not yet broken and the country is still parched and dry, the grass 

 remaining brown with no sign of young shoots worth speaking of. 



The rainfall for the month was .66 inches over seven days; heaviest fall .24 

 inches. In the corresponding month last year the rainfall was 4.71 inches over 

 eight days; heaviest fall 1.85 inches. The rainfall for December, 1919, was only 

 .4 inches, and for the previous six months less than half the average rainfall 

 for the period. Thus there has not yet been suflBcient rain to permit of 

 ploughing, nor has any seed been planted in the dry lands. 



The School. — ^The new session has commenced with 15 senior diploma 

 students, 35 junior students, and 5 one year practical training students. 

 Amongst the 50 diploma students are 27 returned soldiers. 



