144 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



THE DROUaHT OF 1918-1919. 



Estimated Loss of Live Stock and Produce. 



Although there are some parts of tlie country where rain is still 

 sorely needed (March, 1920), the great drought which pre- 

 vailed over a wide extent of the ITnioii during 1918-1919 

 has now happily spent itself, and we can endeavour to form 

 an estimate of the loss to our pastoral and agricultural 

 industries by one of the severest dry spells known in the history 

 of South Africa. It will be recognized that from such information 

 as is available an estimate only can be framed, but though the 

 actual loss and its full economic effects on the country will never be 

 known, it is considered that the information now placed before the 

 public is reasonably accurate and will show clearly the degree of loss 

 we have sustained and justify the natural dread with which farmers 

 view the recurring droughts which rob them of their stock and crops. 

 In obtaining information as to the effects of the drought, the 

 Department had the assistance of all magistrates and sheep inspectors, 

 whose knowledge of local conditions enabled them to give, as a rule, 

 valuable details of mortality of stock and decrease of crop produc- 

 tion in the areas served by them, and it is largely on this information 

 that the estimates hereunder have been based. 



Rainfall. 



To determine the extent to which the conditions prevailing 

 generally throughout the Union during' 1919 are reflected in the rain- 

 fall for that year as compared with previous years, a schedule was 

 prepared from information supplied by the Meteorological Office 

 giving in detail the annual rainfall at various centres in the Union 

 over a period of years extending from 1900 to 1919 inclusive. This 

 shows that, with the exception of 1903, the rainfall of 1919 was the 

 lowest during the past twenty years. The following summary sets out 

 the position clearly : — 



It will be observed that compared with the average rainfall for 

 the stated periods of five years from 1900, and for the whole period of 

 the past twenty jears, the total rainfall in 1919 is deficient in each 

 instance. 



