:)66 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



existence is liJiely to prove of great advantage to the growers of that 

 district. Another indication of the forward movement of the industry 

 was the formation during the year of an association composed of 

 tobacco organizations in the Union and Rhodesia, its objects being to 

 co-ordinate the methods of handling and disi)osing of leaf tobacco and 

 to bring growers and manufacturers of tobacco into closer relation to 

 their mutual benefit. Cotton growing continued to expand and a 

 greater crop than the i)revious season w^as expected, (^wing to (he 

 war high prices were realized for lint, and prospects of a firm demand 

 in the future encouraged the extension oE the crop. The question of 

 a cotton-seed crushing plant received attention, and if carried out will 

 prove valuable, as the present method of crushing seed is wasteful 

 and no benefit is derived from the oil, a very valuable by-product. 

 Demands for tobacco and cotton seed supplied by the division were 

 great and could not all be met. During the year several bulletins and 

 articles on various subjects concerning the industry were published, 

 and an exhibit of tobacco and cotton was placed on the pi'incipal 

 agricultural shows held in the Union. 



Division of Horticulture. 



The fruit industry of the Union depends in a large measure on 

 the disposal of its fruit on oversea markets, and the year 1914-15 

 witnessed the commencement of a ciirtailment in the export of fiesh 

 fruit owing to the war and the consequent lack of suitable freight. 

 For this reason the export trade showed a marked falling off as 

 compared with the prior season, 1913-14. The deciduous crop of 

 1914-15 was, however, a small one. Xt this time also the exportalrcn 

 of meat began, which further aggravated the position caused by the 

 limited cold storage accommodation through the witlidrawal of many 

 steamers for war purposes. During the year a Fruit Export Act, 

 making compulsory the inspection of firuit exported for sale, was passed 

 by Parliament. The provisions of the Act necessitated amended 

 regulations, which have proved very satisfactory. Useful work was 

 carried out by the Citrus Experiment Station at Warmbaths and by 

 visits to farmers and demonstrations in various parts of the Union 

 in connection with tree planting, pruning of trees, and the packing 

 of oranges for export. Plantations of oranges and pines were 

 extended in the localities suitable for them, and generally the 

 excellent prices obtained oversea continued to encourage the growing 

 of fruit in the Union. 



In 1915-16 the division was busily employed as usual in advising 

 fruit growers, grading fruit for export, and assisting the industry 

 generally, and the services of its officers were in great demand. The 

 industry suffered greatly through lack of freight caused l\v the war, 

 ])ut such fruit as could be exported fetched abnormal prices. 

 Fortunately an extension by the Railway Administration of their 

 refrigerator fruit service enabled much of the fruit, which in the 

 ordinary course would have been exported, to be sold in the Union at 

 remunerative prices. The quantity exported was 257,314 boxes, as 

 compared with 319,829 boxes the previous year (1914-15). Statistics 

 obtained showed a great extension in the number of fruit trees planted, 

 and the question of providing additional cold storage on steamers 

 received much consideration. There was a considerable increase in 

 the production of dried fruit and jam in the Western Province of the 



