184 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



farming' coming- to tlie fore earlier than they otherwise would have 

 done. Like many young industries, these new developments required 

 a great deal of attention to enable them to make the most of the 

 unique opportunity presented of establishing themselves. The 

 necessity of those industries becoming- self-supporting- and gaining a 

 footing' in the overseas market, on which they will ultimately have 

 to depend, demanded unremitting attention. Although, as will be 

 seen, a good deal of work was done and advances made in many 

 directions, the risks with a depleted staff were considerable, par- 

 ticularly in connection with diseases of stock. The war, therefore, 

 greatly upset the Department and caused tlie postponement of many 

 extensions that were in progress or imminent when hostilities broke 

 out, and which would have materially increased its usefulness. 



Before passing on to the work done by the various divisions of 

 the Department, it is felt that the public should know what it costs 

 the countrv. 'The following figures show the total expenditure and 



Veterinary Division. 



This division deals with the prevention of the introduction of 

 contagious diseases of live stock into the Fnion, with the eradication 

 of such diseases as are already present, and with the protection of live 

 stock against enzootic diseases by inoculation and other means. It 

 also advises and assists farmers regarding diseases of stock. 



During the financial year 1914-15 East Coast fever was severe in 

 the Transkeian Territories, and varying fortunes were reported from 

 other parts of the Union, some areas which liad previously been 

 declared clear showing fresh outbreaks of tlie disease while others 

 shook it off. In Natal the outbreaks showed a decline, althougli the 

 disease was still widespread in Zululand. Tliere was a good deal of 

 mortality from anthrax, while an abundant rainfall induced virulent 

 and widespread horse-sickness and blue-tongue. Gallamziekte was 

 gradually breaking out in new centres. Nagaiia was spreading in 

 Zululand, but the ])osition in regard to glanders and lung-sickness 

 was satisfactory. 



During 1915-1() about half of the professional staff' and a number 

 of stock inspectors of the Veterinary Division were on active service, 

 and the work of coping with animal diseases was greatly handicapped. 

 With the exception of anthrax and East Coast fever, there was 

 fortunately no serious extension of disease of any kind. Outbreaks of 

 anthrax were numerous in the Transvaal and Cape Provinces, while 

 East Coast fever showed a considerable recrudescence in Natal and in 

 a lesser degree in the Transvaal ; the position in the Cape Province 

 was easing, though still bad in native areas. The policy in regard to 

 tuberculosis in cattle was maintained, but the vStock Disease Act was 



