054 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



and partially through the winter months ; as a result the quality of 

 the grain was not so good as usual. The inadequacy of proper storing 

 facilities caused great loss through dampness, the present system of 

 storing and handling being expensive in addition. Consequently a 

 committee was formed for dealing with the maize traffic, and the 

 report eventually submitted by it favouring the erection of elevators 

 will have a far reaching beneficial effect on the trade. In the absence 

 of elevators, and with a view to assisting farmers and traders and of 

 preventing the shipment of damp maize to the ports, provision was 

 made during the year for the grading of maize at railway stations in 

 the chief maize-growing areas, four graders being appointed for the 

 purpose. Another feature of the year was the purchase of practically 

 the whole of our surplus maize by the Imperial Government at prices 

 based on those paid for the maize already bought by merchants. 

 Another new departure was the purchase by the Imperial Government 

 of large quantities of maize meal in the ITnion for use oversea. This 

 was the first occasion maize meal was exported in any quantity, and 

 with one exception the meal arrived in srood condition and gave 

 satisfaction. Our maize is well grown, is sent over in good condition 

 without being artificially dried, and its grading can be relied upon, 

 and it is interesting to note that our IVo. 2 maize was recommended to 

 farmers for growing maize for ensilage by the English Board of Agri- 

 culture. In addition to maize other products exported under the 

 supervision of the division were Kaffir corn 2796 bags, barley 7384 

 bags, dried peas 3258 bags, dried beans 1119 bags. The purchasers 

 of seeds exported from the Union all stipulate for certificates of 

 quality and purity by the Government, and the division did its best 

 to meet these demands. Standard samples of maize, etc., were made 

 up on the standard set in 1915, and a large number of sets was 

 disposed of to traders, farmers, and others interested in the export 

 and local trades. 



Fe^TCING VXD Be AND s. 



The administration of the laws relating to fencing and brands, 

 and the publication of the " Brands' Directory " required by the 

 Transvaal Brands Act, are matters forming a separate section of the 

 work of the Department. 



Fencing. — This matter is governed by the provisions of the 

 Fencing Act of 1912 (No. 17), and though the high prices of fencing 

 mateiial caused by the war retarded the extension of fencing which 

 would otherwise have taken place, and the number of applications for 

 advances in terms of Section 3 of the Act decreased year by year, 

 there was nevertheless a forward movement and a smooth working of 

 the Act, it being clear that with a return to better conditions fencing 

 would be vigorously pursued, as its value was becoming* generally 

 recognized. The obligatory provisions of the Act were gradually 

 extended to those parts of the Union in which compulsory contribu- 

 tions by adjoining properties were not already enjoined by law. 



Brands. — Legislation varies in the different Provinces, and in 

 Natal there is no Brands Act. The Orang-e Free State and Cape Acts 

 leave the choice of brands and of their position on the animals to the 

 applicants. The Transvaal Ordinance (No. 15 of 1904) limits the 

 choice to such of a series of brands, arranged on the three-piece 



