ir>6 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



o-ioiui(l. Tliis thorough (•iiltivation not only has the effect of increas- 

 ing" the avaihible plant food in the soil, but it also results in the con- 

 servation of a large proportion of the usually abundant rainfall of 

 January to March. When, however, wheat follows wheat, there is a 

 minimum of cultivation. The crop is not cultivated during growth, 

 and the stubble is not ploughed in until it is time to sow the next croj). 

 When that time arrives the land is ploughed, the seed sown broadcast, 

 and harrowed in. Owing to the compacted state of the soil much of 

 the rain which falls in January, February, and March is lost to the 

 succeeding crop. This is in striking contrast to what hap])ens when 

 wheat follows potatoes and most of the late summer rains are conserved 

 in the soil. 



If this be the correct interpretation of tlie relationship of the 

 potato crop to the wheat crop that follows it. no fertilizer can take the 

 place of the former crop, but much benefit would be derived from 

 breaking up the stubble as soon after harvest as possible and repeating 

 the operation should the rains compact the soil or weeds take possession 

 of it. 



It would, liowever. seem that tlie farmer is prevented from plougli- 

 ing after harvest by reason of the necessity to transport his grain to 

 Burgersdorp, which is over thirty miles distant. If that be so, then no 

 great improvement of methods can be expected until siich a time as 

 the transport difficulty is solved in the shape of liettei- railway 

 facilities. 



Co-operation. — The distiift is fortunate in the possession of a 

 co-opeiative cheese factorv, i.e. the Stormberg Cheese Factory. 

 Fanners can dis])ose of all their surplus milk at this factory at a 

 reasonable price, and if the supplier should happen to be a shareholder 

 he usually receives a bonus as well as a diAidend. There is no doubt 

 that this cheese factory, apart from beino- n commercial success, has 

 made itself felt as a factor in the agricultural development of the 

 district. Farmers findins- that it costs no more to feed good than 

 inferior cattle are gradually im]n'oving their herds. With improved 

 herds will follow better methods of farming, for since it pays well to 

 feed good cattle the farmer will endeavour to produce more food- 

 stuffs. 



In 1917 the output of the factorv was 25',501 lb. of clieese. a figuir 

 that had increased in 1918 to 34.695 lb. 



The valuation of farms for Divisional Council purposes is from £3 

 to £4 per morgen. but in the open market from £6 to £8 is easilv 

 obtaincfl. The price of land is certainlv rising here t^s in other parts 

 of the Fnion, as mav be gathered from the fact that a portion of Wit- 

 kop W3S sold not lopQ- ago for over £11 per mors-en. A competent 

 authority q-ives it as his opinion that a value of £20 per morgen is not 

 excessive for the best of cultivated lands. 



The main source of income to the farmer would appear to be sheep. 

 Crops also return a good outlay on expenditure, and cattle are a very 

 useful sideline. 



Fertilizers have not been used up to the present, so there is hope 

 that, by a iudicious scheme of manuring and the increase in foodstuffs 

 produced that would follow, the stock carrying capacity of farms can 

 be enlarged. 



