210 Journal of the Department of Agrihulturb. 



Field Operations and Crops. — The preparation of land for the coming 

 season's crops has been seriously delayed by the continued drought, both on the 

 farm and in the Experimental Division. About 50 acres of " braak " land were 

 summer ploughed this month, but it was impossible to plough the stubble lands 

 on account of the hardness of the soil. 



A further 22-acre field of maize was cut and turned into ensilage, the yield 

 being aliout 80 tons; 40 tons of vlei grass were cut and stacked for bedding 

 purposes; 150 Ijags of oats (Algerian) and 50 bags of rye were threshed during 

 the month. 



In connection with the vintage, the wines were racked this month and the 

 casks filled. 



In the Horticultural Division several varieties of pears were picked and 

 packed for the local markets. The Beurre Bosc, Louise Bonne, Forelle, and 

 KeifFer (in part) varieties were picked, the yields of Beurre Bosc and Forelle 

 being poor, but the Louise Bonne and Keiffer crops were fairly good, lioth in 

 yield and quality. 139 trays of Louise Bonne pears were sent to the Johannes- 

 burg market and realized five shillings per tray. A few trays of Keiffer pears 

 were also sent to Johannesburg, but the bulk of the crop was cut Tip for drying 

 purposes. 



Live Stock. — The condition of the live stock in general is fair. Milk yields 

 of the dairy cattle dropped somewhat during the month. The pigs are in good 

 condition, and a large number of sows farrowed during the past three or four 

 weeks. A number of pigs from the experimental pig lots Mere sold, as follows : 

 Five large black gelts for breeding purposes at 10 guineas each; eight large 

 black barrows to the Wellington Bacon Factory at £7. 10s. each; and six cross- 

 bred large black Berkshire pigs at tiie same price. 



Buildings — The old dairy bui!di))g, which was destroyed by fire some time 

 back, has been rebuilt, and is now used ])y the Experimentalist as a seed store, 

 ofl&ce, and laboratory. A fine modern dairy is in process of l)uilding at present 

 and is nearing completion. An intensive lireeding house is being built in the 

 poultry division. Work was continued on this during the month, and the house 

 is now about one-half completed. 



Experimental and Investigational Work. — AVork in the experimental division 

 is still held back by the dry weather, no fertilizers having been applied yet, due 

 to the impossibility of working the land. Tlie othei' laboratory and field experi- 

 ments are progressing favourably. 



Itosehanh Show. — The AVestei n Piovince Agricultural Society's Annual Show 

 was held at Rosebank on the 2nd to 5th March, inclusive. A large number of 

 Elsenl)urg live stock, principally cattle, was exhibited, and a general exhibit 

 representative of all divisions of the school was also staged as part of the 

 Government exhibit. The live stock exhibits were awarded nine first prizes, five 

 seconds, and one third, as well as two championships (Jersey bull and Jersey cow). 

 The .Jersey cattle were outstanding in thc>ir classes. In the group classes the 

 Elsenburg entries were awarded second prize in both heavy and light breeds 

 (Friesland and Jersey respectively). With only two exceptions the live stock 

 exhibit consisted entirely of animals bred at Elsenburg, and the two exceptions 

 were buth unplaced. Several membei's of the staff acted as judges in various 

 sections at the show. 



The entire stiulent l)ody attended the show and was conducted around in 

 gioups by different memljers of the. staff to each .section of the show in turn. 

 In this Avay they received much useful instruction in regard to the judging of all 

 classes of stock and farm produce, as well as a great deal of valuable general 

 information in regard to the various exhibits. 



The live stock judging competition proved a great success, the judging of 

 the students being very creditable in all the classes. The students who took 

 part in the butter-making competition also acquitted themselves very well, one of 

 them being awarded the championship. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



Climatic. — The total rainfall for the month up to date (26th) was 6.29 

 inches. The bulk was registered during the first week of the month, when the 

 Modder River overflowed its banks in various places we.st of Glen. Considerable 

 damage was done to pumping plants and several farmers were obliged to leave 

 their homes as they were completely surrounded by water. Fortunately no damage 



