410 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



CROP AND LIVE STOCK REPORT. 



May, 1920. 



MAIZE. 



Reports received from correspondents disclose a further decline of 2 per cent, iu tlie 

 condition of the crop at 31st May, 1920. and the estimated production for this season is 

 expected to be 9,984,000 bags. 



While an improvement of 1 per cent, is reported in the Transvaal there has been a 

 decline in the Cape Province of 5 per cent., and .3 per cent, both in Natal and the Orange 

 Free State. For the whole Union the crop is averaged at 22 per cent, below normal. 

 Frosts in varying degrees of intensity have been reported from practically every part except 

 the coastal and the low-lying regions. In the Border districts of tne Cape Province droughty 

 conditions were prevalent. As far as pests and insects are concerned these appear to be 

 singularly absent, the only exceptions being a few isolated spots in the Transkei. and 

 Standerton in the Transvaal. 



KAFFIR CORN. 



The condition of this crop at 31st May, 1920, is practically identical with that 

 reported at the end of the previous month. The total production this season is estimated 

 to be 1,132.500 bags. 



TOBACCO. 



As compared with the previous month, reports received show a further decline of 

 1 per cent. In the crop condition for the Union, the estimated production at 31st May. 1920. 

 being placed at 8.897.200 lb. 



REAN8. 



According to the 1918 census which represented the actual production for the 1917-18 

 season, the quantity produced in the Union was 256,472 bags. 



Taking these figures as a basis an estimate has been framed from which it appears that 

 the Union is likely to produce this season 251,300 bags. 



Taking the Union as a whole, the ai-ea under cultivation for 1919-20 as compared with 

 1917-18 (i.e. two years previously) showed a decline of 4 per cent. In fhe Transkei there 

 was an increase of 4 per cent., and 3 per cent, in the Transvaal, whereas smaller quantities 

 were cultivated in other parts of the Union. 



CONDITION OF LIVE STOCK. 



Compiled from Report,s furnished by Sheep and Stock Inspectors. 



