398 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



In a memoraudum accompanying the report, Sir AVilliam Hoy, 

 the General Manager of Eailways and Harbours, supports the com- 

 plete scheme of port and country elevators recommended by Mr. Little- 

 john Philip but suggests that a commencement be made with seventeen 

 country elevators to feed the port elevator at Durban and a like 

 number to feed the one at Capetown, the remainder to be built later 

 on as experience dictates. He states: " Assuming that steps are not 

 taken to commence construction work until the necessary funds have 

 been authorized by Parliament, say, until July or August next, it is 

 certain that the elevators could not be erected in time for the 1922 

 crop. As a matter of fact, matters would require to be carried out 

 expeditiously to have them ready for the 1923 crop." 



The report points out that all costs, expenditure, losses, and 

 expenses of sale incurred between production and ultimate sale, 

 reduce the amount which the farmer gets for his grain. The elevator 

 system is designed primarily to help the farmer in this respect; 

 indeed it is estimated that as a result he should obtain from Is. to 

 2s. more for every 200 lb. produced, and at the same tinie be relieved 

 of all anxiety as to safe storage and forced sale. His position is 

 sensibly improved, for when his grain is deposited in an elevator he 

 will receive a negotiable certificate enabling him to raise money, if 

 required, and to sell at an opportune time. But the benefits are by 

 no means confined to farmers, for grain merchants, in the widest 

 acceptance of the term, and storekeepers will materially be assisted 

 as their risks in liandling the grain are reduced and their business 

 operations simplified ; bankers, also, will have the advantage of hold- 

 ing excellent security for money advanced to the farmer. Altogether 

 the economical handling of the trade will benefit both producer and 

 consumer, and it is considered*that present production will be doubled 

 within five years after the system is fully established. 



The matter is of great moment to agriculturists, and the report, 

 which contains much interesting information regarding the TJnion's 

 maize crop, should be in the hands of every farmer interested in the 

 production and distribution of maize, wheat, and oats. 



Drying-out of Maize during Rail Transit. 



In connection with tlie Grain Elevator Inquiry an intei'esting 

 moisture test was carried out by the Chief Inspector of Grain in 

 co-operation with the Eailway Department, the object being to ascer- 

 tain the extent to which maize dries out during rail transit to the 

 ports. Great care was exercised in the matter. At certain stations 

 samples were drawn from bags of maize consigned to Durban and 

 Capetown about an hour before dispatch, three bags, duly marked, 

 in each consignment being chosen, one at the top of the truck, another 

 in the centre, and the third at the bottom, so as to check the influence 

 of sun and atmosphere. These samples were forwarded in hermetically 

 sealed tins Ijy the station masters concerned to the Chief Inspector of 

 Grain at Pretoria, who tested them for their moisture content. The 

 same test was applied by the grain graders at the ports, who drew 

 samples from the marked bags immediately on their arrival. The 

 result of the test is set forth in the following statement from the 

 Chief Inspector of Grain: — 



