The Department of Agriculture during the War. 367 



Cape; two fiuit-dryiug' cuncenis were established during the year 

 aud the industry made great progress. 



A continuance of freight shortage in 1916-17 pressed heavily on 

 many fruit growers, but the situation was relieved by the facilities 

 for disposal of fruit locally, especially citrus fruit. The restriction 

 in the exports of fresh fruit and the good markets obtainable for dried 

 fruit, canned fruit, and jam resulted in a great extension of those 

 branches of the industry. Tlie Experiment Station at Warmbaths was 

 maintained as usual, and the horticultural experiment stations at the 

 agricultural scliools were developed, experiments witli sub-tropical 

 fruits also being conducted at Winkel Spruit, Natal. Notwith- 

 standing the serious position caused by the freight question, the year 

 showed a forward movement in the industry, and the division's staff 

 did useful work in the many directions calling for their attention, 

 being largely instrumental also in the opening nj) of local markds 

 for fresh fruit. 



The conditions set u]) by the war continued during the year 

 1917-18, and though the i)rices obtained locally for the l)est fruit were 

 not as high as would have been realized oversea, yet the prosperity m 

 the Union brought satisfactory prices and the local market for fruit 

 was extended. Dried fruit, canning, aud jam-making made further 

 })rogress. helped in a large measure by the existing conditions. 

 During the year a conference of the officers of the division and of 

 the lecturers in horticulture .il the schools of agriculture and 

 experiment stations, and of certaiii leading fruit growers and nursery- 

 men, was held at Elsenburg, at. which many matters of importance to 

 the industry were discussed. Interest in all classes of fruit growing 

 continued to increase and notable expansion in oranges, apples, and 

 pineapples took place, pointing to the near approach of a considerable 

 export trade, particularly in citrus fruits and pineapples. 



(This review will be continued in subsequent issues of the 

 Journal.) 



Wheat and Flour. 



The following' table shows the total exi)orts of wheat and flour from 

 the world's principal exporting countries, Canada, United States, 

 liritish India, Argentina, and Australia. The exports from Russia 

 and Roumania, which totalled 60,309.700 quintals in 1913-1914, are 

 not included : — 



Season 1st August to ,, ■ . i /.to,, lu n Season 1st AuKUst to ,, . ^ . ^.-,,,, ,, ^ 



:?lst July. '^^'"t^^^^ ^220 lb.) .^,^j^ j^^^- Quintals (220 lb.) 



I'.n3-1914 ... ]21,()10,r>0() 1917-1918 ... 127,280,400 



1914-1915 ... 144,178,«)00 1918-1919 ... 150.893,800 



1915-19ir. ... U;8,3GO,200 1919-1920 ... 89,854,300=:= 



1916-1917 ... 152,158,600 



The Journal is the Department's medium of making known its 

 activities. It contains information of value to every farmer in the 

 Union Keep it for reference. 



"Total for (J mouths only (August January ). 



