I(JJ: Journal of the DErARTMENT of A(iRicuLTaRE. 



Co-operative Experiments. 



Objections may be, and frequently are, lodged against experi- 

 ments because they are not typical of the different parts of the 

 country, i.e. a true finding for the iniddle veld areas is not necessarily 

 correct for the higher A-eld areas. In order to overcome these objec- 

 tions a commencement has been made in the carrying out of experi- 

 ments at various centres in the Province. These experiments are 

 carried out on a co-operative basis with different farmers. Experi- 

 ments are being conducted in the Ladysmith District and in the 

 Thornville Junction District upon maize, cowpeas, and teff, worked 

 in rotation to avoid as far as possible the single crop abuse, and to 

 encourage systems of diversified agriculture. These experiments are 

 as follows : — 



First year — Maize. 



vSecond year — Maize. 



Third year— Teff. 



Fourth year — Cowpeas. 



The cowpea is the restorative crop for the grain crop, and the teff' 

 crop is a cleaning crop on account of the density of cover which it 

 yields. The cowpeas are cut for hay in some of the experiments and 

 ploughed in in others. 



A scheme of manuring is also in operation in conjunction with 

 these rotation experiments. Results to date seem to prove the feasi- 

 bility and desirability of such a system of crop rotation, and also rhe 

 need for diversified farming, where stock forms a not unimporiant 

 part of the farmer's activities. 



The Improvement of the Yield of Crops by vSeed Selection. 



A commencement was made three or four years ago in the 

 improvement of the maize yield by a correct system of seed selection, 

 but for various reasons it has not been possible to continue with this 

 work, but the importance is su-ih that, in spite of many difficulties, it 

 is being undertaken again. 



By a system of selection the sugar content of the sugar beet has 

 been raised to 20 per cent, from a modest 4-5 per cent. The low yield 

 of maize in the Union is capable of very considerable improvement by 

 correct seed selection. Tlie farmer of to-day is too apt to take seed 

 maize which is only apparently good, whereas what is required are 

 high-yielding varieties in which high yields are an inborn character. 



Improvement by selection is also to be carried out on the potato 

 crop, which is also a])t to be sorely neglected in so far as correct 

 seed selection is concerned. With correct selection an endeavour will 

 be made to prove whethei- it is possible or not to do without fresh 

 importations of seed potatoes, a practice very generally in vogue at 

 the present time. 



Indigenous Forage Plants. 



Trials are being undertaken to determine the value of indigenous 

 species of plants as forage plants. 



It has been observed that where cattle have access to it none ci 

 the indigenous cowpea (VIgnop), which is a perenniaU is allowed lo 



