Crop and Live Stock Report. 



313 



CROP AND LIVE STOCK REPORT. 



April, 1920. 



MAIZE. 



The cuiidition of the crop iu the Cape Province is reported to have sligfitly reduced the 

 prospects, as also in the Orange Free State and Natal. On the other hand, no perceptible 

 change has taken place in the Transvaal. 



Taking the Union as a whole the crop remains at 20 per cent, below normal in condition 

 as at tne ei.d of April and is estimated to yield 10.161,900 bags. As was to be expected, 

 frosts were mainly responsible for the condition of crops, which owing to the late rains could 

 not be planted earlier. In the Eastern and Central Transvaal the maize borer appears to 

 have caused some damage as well as in the South-Eastern Districts in the Free State. 



KAFFIR CORN. 



The reports received from correspondents disclose practically the same conditions as in 

 espect of maize. 



Where the prospects in the Cape Province have diminished from '68 to 41 per cent, 

 below ufirmal there has been on the other hand a slight improvement in Natal as well in the 

 Free State. The condition of the crop for the Union is placed at 20 per cent below normal, 

 at the end of April, estimated to yield 1,131,400 bags. 



TOBACCO. 



As compared with the previous month, the i)rospects of this crop have improved by 

 approximately 5 per cent, over the Union. Improved conditions are reported particularly 

 from Oudtshoorn and the Transkei. On the other hand a decline of 10 per cent, is reported 

 from the North-West Free State. At the end of April the crop is estimated to be lit per 

 cent, below normal in condition, wh'ch should yield 8.94!i,60O lb. 



COTTON. 



It is estimated that the 1918-19 season, under normal conditions, shoukl have given 

 2,322,000 llj. of seed cotton. As compared with that season, it would appear that the area 

 under cultivation in 1919-20 was as follows : — Transvaal, increase of 44 per cent. ; Natal, 

 increase of 8 per cent. 



At the end of April, 1920, the information disclosed points to the fact that the condition 

 of the present crop was not so satisfactory in the Tiansvaal, a decline of 19 per cent, being 

 reported. In Natal, however, the pro^pects appear to be just about normal. The net 

 result, therefore, is that the current season may be expected to produce in the Tiansvaal. 

 I,133,7(j0 lb., and in Natal, 1.464, .500 lb., or a total of 2.60.5.200 lb. of seed cotton. 



CONDITION OF LIVE STOCK. 

 ComiDiled from Reports furnished by Sheep and Stock Inspectors. 



