426 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



the formation of flowering heads is prevented and infection of the 

 pasture is rendered impossible. 



In the outbreak at Cedara which involved a herd of young- oxen, 

 a number of deaths from red water occurred after recovery was almost 

 complete. The grazing gtouud on which these animals ran was 

 " redwater veld," but as the animals hid been reared in the area, 

 and as no cases occurred in cattle of a similar age- grazing in adjoining 

 camps, it was considered that the mortality was due to a breakdown 

 in immunity resulting from lowered vitality due to ergot intoxication. 

 The absence of abortion in pregnant animals contracting the disease 

 under natural conditions and also of any sj'inptoms of neciosis or 

 sloughing was noted in the outbreaks reported and investigated. The 

 condition does not give rise to any immunity or distaste for the fungus, 

 and animals again allowed access to lands in which the infection is 

 present during the same or succeeding year will develop all the 

 characteristic symptoms. 



Interesting Railway Figures. 



In Bulletin No. 3, 1920, issued by the General Manager ot Rail- 

 ways and Harbours, some interesting figures are published concern- 

 ing the railway systems in other countries compared with that of 

 the Union. It is shown that the average cost per mile of railway 

 in Great Britain is £56,317; France, £30,789; Germany, £24,053; 

 United States, £15,909; and Australia, £10,263; while in the Union 

 it is lower than any of these countries, being £9823. Of course, the 

 higher this cost becomes the more revenue will be required to meet 

 interest charges. 



The Union is a vast country with a small population, and has a 

 far-reaching railway system. This is reflected in Ihe following 

 statistics showing the number of inhabitants per mile of railway 

 line in the Union as compared with other countries : — 



No of No. of 



^ . Inhabitants ^ , Innuliitanta 



Country. n, ., Country. ,,., 



•' per Mile -^ per Mile 



of Line of T/'ne. 



Russia in Europe 3360 France 1241 



Italy 3162 Switzerland 1177 



Holland 2880 Denmark 1105 



Spain ...... 1967 United States 404 



Great Britain 1943 Australasia 257 



Austria-Hungary 1792 Canada 200 



Germany 1698 Union of South Africa 



Belgium 1356 (Europeans only) ... 147 



The Journal aims at keeping farmers informed of what the 

 Department of Agriculture is doing, also of such matters affecting 

 their interests as come under its purview. The Journal contains 

 original articles for the guidance of the farmer on the many and 

 diverse problems which face him. Every farmer should tead it and 

 keep it. 



