212 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture, 



has been appointed assistant to the Horticulturist, and Mr. A. Skibbe, formerly 

 assistant chemist at Elsenbnrg, has been appointed to this position held here 

 by Mr. G. M. Hay, now resigned to take up other studies. During the month 

 several officers were absent judging and lecturing at the agricultural shows held 

 at Amersfoort, Middelburg, Ermelo, Bloemfontein, Krugersdorp, Vrede, Carolina, 

 Johannesburg, and S.A.R. Poultry Show, Johannesburg, while other extension 

 work was also carried out whenever possible. 



Crops. — These have derived much benefit from the heavy rainfall, amounting 

 to 7.98 inches, which was recorded during February, and the outlook is much 

 brighter than it was earlier in February. 



The prosf)ects of the maize crop improved greatly during the month, and 

 there is now every promise of a fairly good yield per acre. A fine stand of over 

 26 acres of mangels has been obtained and the roots are developing, fast. 74 

 acres of teff have been sown this season and a very fair crop is likely to be 

 harvested. Nearly 60 acres of leguminous crops have been planted this season 

 for seed, hay, silage purposes, and green manuring, good growth has been made. 

 Other crops, such as potatoes, pumpkins, and tobacco have also grown well and 

 give promise of heavy yields. 



lAve Stock. — All have greatly improved in condition with the good pastures 

 obtained after the heavy rains, and animals for the AVitwatersrand Agricultural 

 Show received hand-feedi)ig and were got into show condition. 



Poultry. — The egg-laying competition started on the 1st inst., there being 

 sixty-nine pens of four birds per pen. 



Horticultural. — All the late maturing varieties of apples and pears were 

 harvested, stored, or disposed of. The work of ploughing the orchard was begun 

 and will be continued until the whole has been completed one way. 



DATES OF AGRICULTURAL SHOWS STILL 

 TO BE HELD. 



(As Notified at 31st March, 1920.) 



TRANSVAAL PROVINCE. 



Klerksdorp.— 18th and 19th May. 

 Lichtenburg.^ — 2Ist May. 

 Wolmaransstad. — 26th May. 

 Haenertsburg. — 27th May. 

 Pretoria. — 31st May to 2ud June. 

 Potcbef Btroom , — 9th June. 



Rustenburg, 9th June. 

 Pietersburg. — 16th and 17th June. 

 Barberton. — 18th June. 

 Tzaneen. — 9th July. 

 Nylstroom.— 29tli and 30th July. 



NATAL PROVINCE. 



Newcastle Agricultural Society. — 2nd and 



3rd June. 

 Vrijheid Agricultural Society. — 8th June. 

 Dundee Agricultural Society. — 10th and 



11th June. 

 Klip River Agricultural Society (Lady- 



smitb). — l.oth and 16th June. 

 Umvoti Agricultural Society (Greytown). — 



16th and 1 7th June. 

 Weenen Agricultural Society (Estcourt). — 



17th and 18th June. 



Royal Agricultural Society (Maritzburg). — 



22nd to 25fh June. 

 Durban and Coast Agricultural Society 



(Durban). -29th June to 2nd July. 

 Zuluiaiid Show Society (Eshowe). — 7th July. 

 Richmond Agricul'ural Society. — 14th July. 

 Dionk Vlei Agricultural Society. — 14th July, 

 Camperdown Agricultural Society. — 21st 



July. 

 Ixopo Agricultural Society. — 22Ed July. 



