Schools of Agriculture and Experiment Stations. 407 



ELSENBURG, MULDERS VLEI, CAPE. 



Climatic. — Good soaking rains fell early in the month and also in the latter part, the 

 total precipitation being 4-97 inches, one inch more than the normal average for May. 

 Except for a few days, rather co'd weather prevailed. The maximum temperature recorded 

 was 84-3° F. on the 20th, and the minimum 42- 6° F. on the 24th. 



Field Operations and Crop.^. — Considerable ploughing, harrowing, and sowing were 

 carried out during the month both at Elsenburg and Mariendahl, oats, rape, and vetches 

 being the chief crops put m. It is anticipated that all the seeding operations will be com- 

 pleted within ti e first two weeks of Jiine. Practically the entire seeding for the 1920 

 manurial an I fodder experiments and variety trials, has been completed. 



A large part of the horticultural area was ploughed, and the greater part of the main 

 orahard was planted with field peas for gieen manure. About 17oO lb. of dried fruit was 

 disposed of. 



Lire stock. — The condition of the live stock on both farms is satisfactory, except at 

 Mariendahl, where the young stock are rather backward. The milk yield at ElsenVjurg 

 showed a slight iuciease toward the end of the month. 



Half of the new intensive poultry house is now in occupation, 148 hens and pullets 

 bavitg been placed therein. 



Experimental and Investigational Work. — The 1920 field experiments are in full swing 

 at present, also two manurial experiments in the orchard. A considerable amount of 

 investigational work is in progress in the scientific and other sections of the Institution. 



Entension Work. — Several external lectures were delivered by various members of the 

 staflp, and a number of farms was visited for the purpose of giving advice re crops, stock, 

 etc. A party of Australian troops visited the Institution on the 13th instant, and was 

 shown the different divisions. 



Sch'iol. — Student work, both theory and practical, is progressing very satisfactorily. At 

 present the students are writing their second quarterly examinations. 



GR00THY)^TE1N, MIDDELBURG. CAFE. 



We regret to state that a disastrous fire occurred at the Grootfontein School of Agricul- 

 ture on the night of the 24th May, 1920, when the building used as an office was destroyed. 

 Unfortunately many valuable records were lost and the work of the Institution was greatly 

 interfered with, so that tlie usual monthly notes will need to be left over this month. 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



Climatic. — The weather during May was exceptionally mild. The minimum temper- 

 ature did not reach freezing poinL until the 27th. Tliis was followed by a colJ snap on the 

 morning of the 28th, when 8 degrees of frost were registered. Welcome rains le 1 between 

 the 12th and Inth, totalling 0-68 inches. The rain was of great assistance in obtaining a 

 good tilth on land intended for winter cereals and lucerne. 



Farm Sec-ion — Good progress was made in the preparation of land for winter cereals 

 and next season's maize crops. In all, 112 acres were ploughed, 81 acres harrow jtl twice, 

 and 81 acres rolled. Approximatelj^ 140 acies will be sown to winter cereals, viz., 54 acres 

 to varieties of wheat, 54 acres to Algeiian cats and 32 acres to other varieties of oals, 

 emmer wheat, and early rye. Wherever possible, all land to be sown to maize and other 

 crops in the spring is being broken up now. During the month 54 acres were sown to 



