40.S JoUHNAI, OF THE DePAKTMENT OF AGRK^ULTURE, 



Algerian oats, and 27 to lucerne. The seeding of the wheat crop was, according to approved 

 practice on this station, left over to the first week in June. Sixty tons of maize silage was 

 made and 30 acres of the maize grain crop harvested. The whole crop of Potchefstroom Pearl, 

 Eureka, and Chester County Mama oth will be selected by hand for seed. There is, every 

 promise that a fair quantity of first-class seed grain will be obtained this season. 



Live stock Section. — Four aged cows and one cross-bred steer were disposed of to the 

 butcher. Nine calves were born during the month including a few Herefords. Spring calves 

 from the beef breeds have ueen weaned. Calves are all in good growing condition. Thus 

 far 53 lambs have been dropped from the Wangacella stud flt.ck, and are doing excellently. 

 Thirteen pigs were disposed of for breeding purposes. 



In connection with the cross-breeding experiments with Afrikander and Sussex Cattle, 

 measurements of individuals of the two parental breeds and the two filial generations were 

 taken. In the former instance, the original Afrikander dams, where still available, were 

 also measured. 



Exjwrbiieutal and Inventigut'iuiial Work. — Varieties of kaffir corn Mere harvested. 

 Samples of pure seed from self-fertilized heads were cleaned and stored, and the seed of 

 those heads hybridized by hand. The two acres of land under kaffir corn were ploughed 

 and cleared of all stalks to prevent the spread of the maize stalk borer. Harvesting of 

 maize in the rotation experiments was undertaken and also the cultivation, manurial. 

 rates of seeding, and hybridization tests. Varieties of cowpeas, beans, and summer wheats 

 (hybrids) were harvested. The latter are beitg tested in order to determine their rust-resisting 

 qualities under our summer conditions. Velvet beans were turned in early in the month on 

 certain ranges which were sown to varieties of wheat later in the month. 



'In the breeding cage, beds were prepared and sown to various crosses of wheat in their 

 first and second gtnerations. The extension to the plant breeding cage has nearly been 

 completed. 



Trials by the Entomologist on the eradication of ants in houses yielded results which 

 showed that poisonous bait containing antimony potassium tartrate was fairly effective. 

 A mixture containing 2 grammes of this substance and 30 grammes sugar to 100 c.c. water 

 was used. Search for the maize stalk borer showed very few first generation larvae, but a 

 heavy infestation of second generation larvae was found. The rooting out and burning of 

 maize stalks before spring sets in with the object of reducing injury by this pest in the 

 ensuing season, becomes yearly more necessary. 



Horticultural Section. — The whole orchard has been cross- ploughed and brought into 

 good order. It was found necessary, owing to the early dry weather, to irrigate all young 

 trees. 



Poidtrj/ I)iii.^-i(>n. — The output of eggs in the Egg Laying Competition was very gratify- 

 ing, early in the month, but there was a reduction during the latter part. The explanation 

 for this cannot be readily found unless it be the rain which fell at the middle of the month. 

 Stock birds are doing well and the egg yield from these has been very good for this time of 

 year. Chickens are coming along splendidly. Never in the history of the station has there 

 been such a fine, well-grown crop of chickens at this time of year. 



Extension IF<»r/<'..— Various members of the stafl", ofiSciating in most cases as judges, 

 visited the following shows during the month ; — 



Klerksdorp, 18th and lUih ; Lichtenburg, 21st ; Zeerust, 20th and 21st : Wolmaransstad, 

 26th and 27th ; Haenertsburg,- 27th ; Pretoria, 31st. 



A representative exhibit of cattle was sent to the Klerksdorp show and the Crop Exhibit 

 from the Farm and Experimental Sections, was staged at the Zeerust show. 



We advise you to get each copy of the Journal and to keep it. 

 A full index will be sent every six mouths to each subscriber. 

 Experience proves the .Journal to be a useful book of reference. It 

 will be so in the future. Every farmer is asked to get the Journal 

 and not to lose it. It is likely that some day, in answer to an inquiry, 

 you may be referred to an article in the Journal. Keep your Journal ! 



