lUO Journal of the Department op Agkiculture. 



GKOOTFONTEIN. MIDDELBUEG, CAPE. 



St iiilinf s. — Till' senior diploma coiii'se studcMits attended the Port EHzabetli 

 Show and acted as st(>ttards in tlie \'arious sections. They also acted in the 

 same capacity at the Middelhnro; Show, which was attended by all the students. 



Judfiiiui (Jam petition. — The Inter-school Live Stock Judginfj; Competition, 

 held at Bloemfontein Show for the first time, was a matter of great interest to 

 all the stndents and staff of the institution, and particularlj' those who were 

 finally selected for the team which was to represent Grootfontein. Grootfontein 

 won the competition, secni-ing the highest marks as a team, and also the highest 

 marks amongst all individnnl competitors. 



Staff. — Various membei's of the staff judgetl at shows ;ind also delivered 

 lectures and demonstrations on ^'arious subjects. 



Sheep Course. — Close on eighty applications and inquiries weie received 

 from applicants foi- the special course in sheep and wool. The course was 

 ojjened on the 15th April; the twelve best candidates will be accepted after 

 undergoing an entrance or test examination. 



'Jiio fii'st returned soldiers' course closed on the loth Apiil. and the new six 

 months' course for returned soldiers open on the 30th. 



Sjircial Short or Wijiter Vncotion Coun^e-f. — The following coui'ses will be 

 held in June and July: — 



(1) Nine days' sheep and av(jo] course from lOth June to the 18th June. 



(2) Nine days' course in dairying, horticulture, and poultiy fiom the 10th 



June to 18th June. 



(3) General cour.se covering all subjects taught at this institution, with 



the exception of tho.se enumerated in courses (1) and (2). and covering 

 .1 i)eriod of three weeks, ojiening on the 21st Juno and closing on the 

 lOtb Julv. 



POTCHEFSTROOM. TRANSVAAL. 



The weather during thi> month \\as dry, oidy 0.12 inches of I'ain being 

 legistered compared with 1.48 in April last year. The temperature was, 

 liowever, very mild; no frost occuned during the month. The maximum 

 temperature recorded was 86.6° F. on the 12th and the minimum 43.1° F. on the 

 18th. The dry weather following a comparatively dry ^larch has resulted m a 

 shrinkage of the maize crops, especially those grown foi- silage. The condition 

 of the veld is also below normal. 



Farm Seetion. — On account of the dry condition of tlic ground, difficidtv was 

 (■x|)erienced in getting into gofxl tilth the lands intended for winter cereals. 

 Approximately 87 acres were ploughed and hai-rowed in preparation for winter 

 cereals. 79 acres of teff and lucerne were mown, yielding hay of excellent 

 quality ; 100 tons of maize silage was made, and in addition a fair amount of 

 cow-pea hay. It is estimated that the following foodstuffs will be on hand for 

 the winter : Lucerne hay, 160 tons ; teff hay, 40 tons ; sweet grass hay, 30 tons ; 

 cow-pea hay, 6 tons; maize silage, 200 tons. In addition there are 26 acres of 

 mangels and 2 acres of pvimpkins. 



E.i:perimental Section. — Ranges of ground in the Experimental Division were 

 ])iepared for the purpose of planting linseed, kale, rape, chic peas, susan peas, 

 vetches, and winter beans. In the fertility plots the range which carried cow- 

 jieas this season as a hay crop was fallowed in preparation for the ensuing maize 

 crop. Five acres of tepary beans and 1 acre of iron cow-peas were harvested 

 for the seed of which there is a great demand. In addition to the silage and hay 

 I'xperiments. varieties of beans and kaffir corn were harvested, also sugar-cane. 

 Napier fodder, and 'N Youti. In the variety trials of cow-peas and millets, the 

 crops Avere harvested, and in addition the crops of buckwheat and linseed in the 

 rotation experiments. 



