;5()i» Journal op the Department of Agriculture. 



Shallots aud Garlic— This is the best month for planting; most people 

 bury the small bnlbs too deeply; this is a mistake, tlie tops of the bulbs should 

 be just under the surface. Shallots are always needed in the kitchen, and 

 garlic as well when sauces and other condiments are being made. 



Potatoes are best allowed to remain in the ground until required for use. 

 If lifted for storing let the tubers be placed in a pit and cover them with fine 

 soil or sand ; if exposed to too much light they turn green and are not fit for 

 human consumption. 



Jeuusalem AuTiCHOKBS are produced under ground similar to potatoes. 

 They may be dug out now when required, and make a delightful change to the 

 usual vegetable. 



Swiss Chakd, as a substitute for spinach, will continu(> to make plenty 

 of leaves if given liberal waterings and kept well hoed. 



It is hoped that where provision has not been made for the growing of 

 vegetables on the farm, if only to supply the homestead with a change of 

 vegetables several times a week, a start will now be made, as the most important 

 sowing months arc rapidlj' approaching, and if one is prepared the rest is 

 simple. 



SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCE ON THE 

 OVERSEA MARKET. 



Extracts from Report of the Acting Trade 

 Commissioner. 



March, 1920. 



Moot. — During the March series of auctions about 4600 bales of South 

 .\fiican free wool were catalogued. It was thought that the keen demand and 

 high prices paid for Australian merino wools would have improved the market 

 for South African wools. This was not the case, and during the first week of 

 the series when some 2600 bales of South African wools were put up for sale the 

 prices i-ealized showed no change from those which were secured in February last. 



^ . I, • Prices Current at 

 rcljruary oalcs. 



i'er lb. Per lb. 



Snow white, extra super — none offered — 80d. to 91d. 



Snow white, super— par 70d. to 82d. 66d. to 79d. 



Snow white, medium — par o8d. to 69d. 56d. to 65d. 



Snow white, inferior — par 40d. to 57d. 40d. to 55d. 



Grease combing, long — 5 per cent, dearer ... 36d. to 75d. 34d. to 69d. 



Grease combing, medium — par 24d. to 35d. 22d. to 33d. 



Grease clothing, light — par 23d. to 35d. 23d. to 36d. 



Grease clothing, heavy— par 18d. to 22d. 18d. to 22d. 



Mohair. — The general trend of the mohair market during the past month 

 has been very quiet and sales have been restricted to small parcels of fine* 

 <(Uality hair. Hardly any transaction took place in South African mohair, prices 

 for which remained nominal. 



Hides. — At the auction sales held on the 30th March considerable quantities 

 of South African hides, mostly from stock previously offered and not of a character 

 suitable for present trade requirements, were submitted for sale. The demand 

 was practically negligible, and only a few dry salted kips and calf skins were 

 sold at a decline of Id. to 2d. per lb. It is hoped that the market Avill improve 

 after the Easter holidays. 



Sheep Skins. — At the March auctions a good selection of Cape skins was 

 offered. Good combing wools reached a higher level, but long wools declined 

 Id. to 2d. per lb. Capetown long wool skins fetched 245d. to 29^d; short. 

 18^d. to 19id. ; shorn, 18d. to 20d. Mossel Bay, extra long wool, 32d. to 34d. 

 The market at the close of the month was quite firm, both for woolled and 

 common skins with prices unchanged. 



