282 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Seed Distribution. — One hundred and twenty-eig-ht lots of seed, 

 amounting- to 2750 lb. in weight, were issued to thirty-nine farmers in 

 twenty districts on the co-operative principle ; this allows farmers 

 to make tests suitable to their local conditions. 



(h) Poultry Section. 



Fattening 'Tests. — The object of these tests is to collect data as 

 to the most suitable foods, also the most profitable breeds for table 

 birds, and to prove to breeders that it pays to fatten poultry for table 

 purposes. 



Incubation. — Tests have been conducted with the object of 

 determining the most suitable periods during the first twenty-one 

 days of incubation) of supplying moisture to the eggs. 



Laying Tests. — Sixty birds of various breeds are undergoing a 

 twelve months' test for egg production, the object of this being to find 

 out the best performers with a view of increasing the egg yield ; birds 

 are tested in their first year, and the proved producers are used in the 

 second year for breeding purposes. 



(c) HORTICTTLTURAL SECTION. 



The following experiments are in progress: — 



(1) Various treatments to crab apple seed with a view to 



ascertaining best treatment for propagating same. 



(2) To ascertain whether crab apples from Yokohama, Japan, 

 are blight-proof in South Africa. 



(3) Almond and peach as a stock for the Karroo. 



(4) Quince cuttings and root grafts (quince) for stock purposes. 



(5) Old blight-proof sweet apple and Northern Spy as a stock 



for apples — 



(a) to infest both stocks with blight in the nursery 



and to ascertain whether they are absolutely 



blight-proof ; 

 (6) easiest method of propagating above stocks. 



(6) Myrobolan seedlings and cuttings for stock production. 



(7) Various quantities of gypsum to ascertain the effect in 

 counteracting deleterious result of sodium carbonate 

 present in the soil. 



(8) Best season and easiest way to propagate Old Man saltbush 



(Atriplex numTnularia) . Testing five other varieties of 



saltbush for germination and suitability. 



(9) Cost, yield, and quality of vegetable seed, carrot, beet, 

 parsnip, and onion. 



(10) Soil treatment to counteract tomato blight. 



(11) Propagation of new variety of grape originating as a 

 sport on the black currant grape vine. The sport is white, 

 large, and fleshy, contains few seeds, and is probably suit- 

 able for raisin making. 



(12) The breeding of new varieties of apricot to secure a late 

 blooming variety for this area; the hybrids were, un- 

 forunately, killed by late frost in October. 



