Schools of Agriculture and Experiment Stations. 211 



was done to the pumping plant here, although some expenditure was incurred 

 in removing a heav^y deposit of mud and overhauling the plant as it was cpm- 

 pletely submerged. 



Crops. — Field operations were interfered with consideral)ly owing to the 

 excessive rains. It was only possible to get on the irrigated land last week, so 

 that ploughing, seeding, etc., was practically at a standstill. On the dry lands 

 (sandy soils) 35 acres of rye were planted for winter feed. Whatever crops were 

 planted before the heavy rains, as also the veld, made al)normal growtli during 

 the month. Although grain feed, such as oats, will be scarce during the winter, 

 there will be an abundance of grazing and I)ulk feed. The planting of oats and 

 weeding of lands are in full swing. Owing to the wet condition of the lands 

 weeds have become very bad. 



Live Stock. — All are in good condition. Three Friesland heifei's are due 

 to calf .shortly and will be entered in the official milking competition. Ten 

 donkeys, some registered and other not, were sold at the Bloemfontein show on 

 the 2.5th, and realized from £17. 10s. to £42. 10s. each. 



Six animals, consisting of one Clydesdale stallion, one Percheron stallion, and 

 two mares and two Catalonian donkey jacks were exhibited at the Bloemfon- 

 tein show, and five first and one second prizes were secured. 



Extension Work. — The Winburg, Ladybrand, and Bloemfontein shows were 

 visited by members of the staff and various sections were judged. 



The School. — There are fifty-nine students now in residence. 



General. — Considerable research work in connection with proposed irrigation 

 works are proceeding in the chemical laboratories. 



The Bloemfontein show, as usual, attracted a large number of fanners and 

 exhibits from various parts of the Union. The jiidging competition instituted 

 this year was of particular interest to the schools, a judging team from each 

 competing. Grootfontein came first, with Potchefstrooni second, and Glen a 

 close third. 



GROOTFONTEIN, MIDDELBURG, CAPE. 



Climatic. — Rainfall for February, 6.76 inches on fifteen days. Mean tempera- 

 ture : Maximum, 79.7°; minimum, 57.5°. 



Students. — The returned soldier six months' course men were given a sur- 

 prise or test examination. All pas.sed in the various subjects, such as cattle and 

 sheep judging, soils and manures, horticulture, etc., many with honours. 



Farm Section. — Hay-making is in full swing, the lucerne crops being 

 exceptionally fine. The teff and millett are promising well, and the oats are 

 looking exceptionally promising. 



Experimental Section. — Some ten acres of land have been laid down to a 

 sheep feeding experiment, testing various varieties of oats, barley, etc. Only 

 the varieties which proved best last season are being retested and several 

 additional varieties. 



Sheep Section. — Special work was carried out in this section in connection 

 with the Inter-School Judging Competition, Bloemfontein, on the 23rd inst., 

 which was won by Grootfontein. Special work was carried out in the 

 cattle section for the same reason. 



Chemical Section. — During the month analytical work was pressed forward. 

 Thirty-one samples were received for examination, and a certain amount of 

 extension work was carried out by the officer in charge. 



General. — Diiring the month the Entomologist, with the assistance of other 

 ofl&cers, continued to fight the fly trouble, which has increased since the rains. 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



The School. — The number of students in residence during March was as 

 follows: Diploma (sacond year), 31; diploma (first year), 35; one year, 7; 

 ex-soldiers (one year course), 39. 



The Staff. — Mr. May, M.R.C.V.S., was transferred from the Veterinary 

 Division as lecturer in veterinai'y science at this institution. Mr. Walenkamp 



