218 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



CROP AND LIVE STOCK REPORT. 



Marcli, 1920. 



MAIZE. 



Reports received this month deal with the progress being made by the 

 growing crop, its condition as at 31st March being as follows: — 



Cape Province. — As compared with conditions at the end of February there 

 is a decline of 2 per cent. While prospects have improved in the South Coast 

 Districts, there has been a severe set-back in Bechuanaland owing principally to 

 the abnormal rains causing damage. In the Transkei also excessive rains caused 

 some damage, whereas frost in some parts reduced the prospects by 1 per cent. 



Transvaal. — The crop condition is reported to have declined 10 per cent., as 

 compared with the previous month. Throughout the Eastern High Veld the 

 prevalence of frost caused a good deal of damage, the anticipated yield falling 

 from 17 per cent, to 29 per cent, lielow normal. In addition, droughty condi- 

 tions were stated to be prevalent in parts of Middelburg and Standerton Dis- 

 tricts. In the Central Districts the absence of rain, particularly in Heidelberg 

 and parts of Pretoria, caused an appreciable decline. Frost and scarcity of rain 

 likewise reduced the prospects in the Western High \'eld where the crop 

 declined by 3 per cent. 



Orange Free State. — Although the presence of frost caused some damage to 

 the crops the reduced prospects are not so marked as in the case of the Trans- 

 vaal. The decline was confined mainly to the North-eastern Districts. Normal 

 conditions are, however, still reported to exi.st in Bethlehem and Vrede, and 

 fairly satisfactory in Lindley and Senekal. The District of Harrismitli and 

 parts of Heilbron experienced early frosts, which placed the crop at 27 and 26 

 per cent., respectively, below normal. The South-eastern and South-western 

 Districts were able to report slightly improved conditions, resulting from the 

 rains which fell in these parts. 



Xatal. — The condition of the crops continued practically the same as 

 reported at the end of February. 



Summary. — The area under cultivation this season is estimated to he 21 per 

 cent, less than last year, yielding, under ordinary normal conditions, 12,741,600 

 bags. Owing, however, to the adverse conditions under which crops are matur- 

 ing, the estimated production is expected to be 20 per cent, less or 10,234,400 

 bags. According to the latest available figures, the estimated consumption in 

 the Union is considered to be 9,500,000 bags. 



From these figures it might be inferred that there is likely to l)e a surplus 

 of about 600,000 bags, but, in view of the difficulties attending any reliable fore- 

 cast, owing to the uncertainty of the extent to which crops may have suffered 

 jis a result of the frost, it would seem desirable to await the reports disclosing 

 the final condition of the crop at 30th June, 1920. 



KAFFIR CORN. 



The prospects of this crop at the end of March in the Cape Province are 

 practically unchanged. 



In the Transvaal there is a marked falling off in condition in the Eastern 

 High Veld owing to frost and grub in many parts, and similar conditions are 

 reported from the Free State. 



While there is a decline in the crop condition in Natal the estimated pro- 

 duction is not expected to be affected to any appreciable extent. 



Sumvxary. — The reports for March point to an e.stimated further decrea.se of 

 21,200 bags, the crop being estimated at 19 per cent, below normal at which 

 figure it should return 1,140,800 bags. 



