The Department of Agricultuke during the War. 551 



THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DURING 



THE WAR. 



[This article, which commenced in the May, 1920, issue, briefly reviews the work carried out 

 by the various branches of the Department during the j'ears of the war, and records 

 some achievements despite the many difficulties encountered through the abnormal 

 conditions then existing. — Acting Editor.] 



Guano Islands. 



The office of the Guano Islands undertakes the conservation, 

 collection, shipment, and sale to the public of guano, seal skins, etc., 

 obtained on the various islands belonging to the Union, and is charged 

 with the administration of all matters connected therewith. 



The crop of guano collected in 1914 was the highest on record, 

 being 8133 tons, of which 7076 tons were distributed, the balance 

 being left in reserve against possible shortage in the future. The 

 sale price was increased from £5 to £7. 10s. per ton, operating from 

 the commencement of 1915. During the season 4172 seal skins were 

 secured; prices for skins ruled low, for some shipments only 9s. per 

 skin being obtained. The erection of a sea-wall round a large part 

 of Ichaboo, our principal guano-producing island, was proceeded 

 with, the purpose being to increase the breeding area available for 

 the birds and so ensure an increase in the guano yield. 



During 1915-16 the demand for guano increased, noi withstanding 

 the advance in the price, and exceeded the supply. The consumption 

 was almost entirely confined to the south-western Cape districts. 

 Compared with the prices charged for artificial fertilizers, even in 

 normal times, the charge of £7. 10s. per ton for guano was very 

 cheap. The practice, which had been in operation for a few years, 

 of maintaining a reserve for the purpose of supplementing the supply 

 in lean years, bore fruit at this time, and the reserve in hand was 

 most useful on account of the dearth of fertilizers resulting from the 

 war. The total yield (which was affected by abnormal weather condi- 

 tions) for the year was 7220 tons, a decrease of over 900 tons on the 

 record yield of the previous year, but still above the average annual 

 yield. Over half a million eggs were collected and disposed of, but 

 sealing operations were entirely suspended throughout the year owing 

 to the slump then prevailing in the fur-skin market. Altogether this 

 branch of the Department's activities brought in a profit of £41,961 

 for the year. Owing to the increase in the cost of freight, bags, 

 supplies, etc., the cost of collection rose considerably. 



A continuance of unseasonable weather and an absence of fish 

 during" part of the year, which affected the birds' breeding season, 

 were the cause of a further decline in the guano output, which 

 totalled 6900 tons for 1916. In consequence of rising costs following 

 the war, it M-as necessary again to increase the charge for guano, 

 which from the beginning of 1917 was £10 per ton, this being about 

 the market value of the article in normal times. The demand 

 continued to be far in excess of the supply, the quantity applied for in 



