272 Journal of the Department oe Agriculture. 



for tliree million head, of wliicli two and a half million were lost in 

 the Cape Province. The number of sheep and goats showed a great 

 reduction during the two years, being 47,214,000 in 1913 and 

 40,352,000 in 1915. Although the flocks showed a falling off in 

 numbers, the quality of our sheep and wool continued to improve, and 

 much was done by the sheep and wool experts in attaining this 

 progress. Classing flocks, establishing studs, selecting rams, 

 inspecting sheep for the Stud Book, lecturing, demonstrat- 

 ing, judging at shows, and generally advising and assisting 

 farmers with their sheej) and wool were all matters which engrossed 

 their attention. At this time began the rise in the price of wool, 

 which was later to reach such undieamed of heights, and the great 

 loss of stock from drougdit referred to above was thus accentuated by 

 the high prices realized for wool and mohair. At the end of 1916 

 greasy wool fetched from Is. Id. to Is. Qhd. per lb. for superior 

 quality, from lOd. to Is. 3d. for average quality, and from 7d. to lid. 

 for inferior quality, while mohair realized at the same time 14d. to 

 18|-d. per lb. 



The set-back in the campaign against scab owing to the causes 

 mentioned above was entirely overcome in 1916-17, the percentage of 

 infected flocks at the end of 1916 being .81 as compared with 1.43 in 

 1915 and .99 in 1913. Improvement continued also in the farming 

 of woolled sheep, and further stimulus was given by the high prices 

 which prevailed for wool and mutton. Large sales of stud sheep were 

 held at which high prices were realized, both for imported and home- 

 bred sheep. The price of wool continued its upward course, merino 

 greasy wool lieing sold at from lOid. to Is. lid. per lb, at the coast, 

 and from lid. to 2s. 4d. per lb. in London, towards the close of 

 1916. At this time also the importation of mutton was a thing of the 

 past, thus foreshadowing a future export trade in mutton, which, in 

 addition to wool, is such a great feature in sheep countries like 

 Australia, New Zealand, and the Argentine. 



During- 1917-18 the position regarding scab infection continued to 

 Improve, the percentage of infected flocks at the end of 1917 being 

 .36 as compared witli .81 the year before. This improvement was. 

 noticeable also in the condition of the sheej) arriving at the abattoirs. 

 The policy of selecting areas free from scab (and large enough to 

 warrant the necessary precautions without unduly hampering rhe 

 movement of sheep), protecting them from reinfection, and increasing 

 them by the addition of adjoining areas as they become clean, was 

 continued with satisfactory results, and but for lack of staff its 

 application would have been more extensive. 



Although the preparation of wool for the market was better than 

 in earlier years, serious complaints were made of false packing, a 

 practice which should be vigorously suppressed ; the shortage of 

 freight also emphasized the necessity for the proper pressing of bales. 

 It was estimated that South African wool occupied 50 per cent, more 

 cargo space than Australian wool. The wool clip was a good one and 

 wool never reached so high a figure before. The shortage of freight, 

 however, resulted in a large accumulation of wool at the coast, with 

 the consequent danger of damage by moth and other agencies. The 

 matter was represented to the Imperial Government, who confirmed 

 the position regarding freight shortage and offered to purchase the 

 whole of the clip, delivered at the ports, at 55 per cent, above the price 



