Schools of Agriculture and Experlment Stations. 503 



Harvesting of the maize crop is still proceeding. Chester County Mammoth 

 yielded eight and three-fifth bags to the acre, and Yellow Cob Cango lOi bags 

 to the acre. The main maize crop, Potchefstroom Pearl, has not yet been 

 thrashed. 



The shortage of bedding this year necessitated cutting of veld-grass on 

 neighbouring farms for this purpose. Carting of gravel for maintenance of 

 roads and bridges is being proceeded with, also pruning of forestry trees and 

 the thinning out of shelter belts. 



Live Stock. — In spite of the severe winter conditions live stock are well 

 maintaining their condition. Feeding of young breeding stock of the dairy 

 breeds and weaner calves of all breeds took place during the month. The dairy 

 cows are in good condition, but great difficulty is experienced in maintaining 

 the supply of milk. Two calves were dropped during the month from the dairy 

 herds. Nine aged cows, most of dairy breeds, out of the contagious abortion 

 camp, were sold from the quarantine yards, Municipal Abattoirs, Johannesburg. 

 The Africander stud bull " Weeskind " and ten cows were transferred to the 

 School of Agriculture, Glen. One Berkshire sow farrowed. One Berkshire and 

 one Large Black boar were sold for breeding purposes. 



Experiment (Sec^fOfl.— Ranges of wheat in the rotation experiments were 

 planted. The maize from the variety rotation, cultivation, manurial and seeding 

 trials was threshed. Varieties of beans and peanut were harvested and the 

 former were threshed. 



The plant breeder spent some time in describing, classifying, and recording 

 his wheat and kaffir corn crosses. Samples of grain of the various kafiBr corns 

 have been submitted to milling tests. Winter sowings of hybrids and selections 

 of wheat were carried out in the breeding-cage. 



Horticultural Section.- — The vegetable crops suffered severely from frost. 

 Bagrada Bug has been persistent in its attacks on cabbages, kohlrabi, and 

 turnips; paraffin emulsion spray was used to combat this pest. Cabbages were 

 sprayed with arsenate of lead against cabbage moth larvae and with paraffin 

 emulsion against aphides. Several varieties of peaches blossomed out of season 

 early this month. 



Poultry Section. — The egg-laying competition has progressed favoui-ably. 

 The output of eggs was gratifying, showing an improvement on that of May, 

 despite the cold weather. Young chicks in several cases succumbed to the 

 severe cold. The stock birds continue to lay fairly well. 



Engineering Section. — A ploughing demonstration was held with the 

 Ransomes Demon plough. A report on the demonstration was prepared for 

 publication. 



Plans for moulds required in the construction of Pise huts were prepared. 

 A commencement will soon be made with the building of native huts in Pise 

 work. 



Entomological Section. — Field experiments were carried out on the best 

 methods of destroying birds with poison bait without endangering poultry and 

 other farm animals. Wired crates and raised platforms were tried. Excellent 

 results were obtained by the formula 3 parts antimony potassium tartrah, 60 

 parts granulated sugar, and 75 parts water, for the destruction of ants. 



Short Courses. — The "small holders" course in dairying, poultry, and 

 horticulture, along with the minor subjects, apiculture, entomology, and 

 chemistry, which ran from 17th June to 26th July, is considered to have been 

 an unqualified success : 55 students attended, of which number 31 were women. 

 The keenness and attention of students was very noticeable compared with that 

 shown in the same course last year. Most of therii weie farmers or prospective 

 ones, and their wives and daughters. 



The farmers' course opened on the 29th June, the attendance numbering 

 78 (64 men and 14 women), the large majority being farmers. 



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