Gi)0 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



One Fries calf died of sponsiekte, although inoculated on two distinct 

 occasions within twelve months against this disease. Cases of metritis, several of 

 ophthalmia, and a few cases of diarrhoea in dairy calves have to be reported. 

 These were successfully treated. One valuable Ayrshire cow died of abscesses in 

 the uterus. 



Experimental Section. — Work done in this section consisted of hai'vesting 

 and weighing one acre of potatoes grown on dry land, m connection with 

 liming and manuring experiments; harveHing and weighing of all the remain- 

 ing peanut plots, two acres; planting of winter legumes, such as beans, peas, 

 etc., one acre. 



One and one-third acre of land was laid down to barley on calcium nitrate 

 fertilized plots. One-half acre was planted with Berseem clover. Cleaning and 

 grading various varieties of seeds was carried out. Plots under fallow and 

 stubble were ploughed and winter cereals irrigated when necessary. 



Horticulture Section. — The work of pruning has made good progress. Black 

 peach fly made an appearance, but only in small isolated colonies. Everything 

 is kept in readiness for spraying the fruit trees during August. To maintain a 

 continuous supply of vegetables, sowing and transplanting are done at regular 

 intervals. 



The Lecturer in Horticulture delivered lectures in the Pretoria, Witwaters- 

 I'and, and Vereeniging Districts, which were well attended by growers and others 

 interested. 



Poultry Section. — The stock birds were in good health during the month, 

 and the egg production for the breeding pen has been satisfactory. 



Articles for Publication. — Articles on the "Destruction of Rodents" and 

 " Glucose and Starch from Maize " were prepared (for the Journal of Industries), 

 and one on " Die Bou van Damme." 



School. — The " Farmers' Course " terminated on the 15th July. Of the 78 

 students enrolled, 73 were accommodated in the hostel here and 5 in Potchef- 

 stroom town. A certain number of teachers attended the course. Sixteen of the 

 students were women. 



The school reopened for ordinary students on the 27th July. 



Staff. — Mr. Mackinnon assumed duty here as an additional foreman and 

 field instructor on the 7th July. The plant breeder, Mr. A. St. C. Capoi'n, 

 resigned and relinquished his post at the end of the month. 



It is witli deep regret that the death of Mr. J. R. Stenning, first grade and 

 senior clerk at the school, is reported. The deceased rendered valuable services 

 to this institution for fifteen years. 



Cost of Production of Maize. 



The Departmeut is undertaking an investigation of the cost of pro- 

 chiction of maize in various parts of the country. The investigations 

 will extend thiough some years, beginning with the coming season. 

 The scheme is, briefly, to submit a carefully prepared schedule to 

 growers, who will fill it in at the close of the season after having kept 

 an exact record of all labour involved in growing, harvesting, and 

 marketing the crop. From this record, as well as other infornuition 

 supplied in the schedule, the total cost of production as well as a 

 comparative analysis of costs, for dift^erent parts of the country, will 

 be worked out. All growers willing to participate in this work are 

 invited- to send their names and addresses to The Secretary for Agri- 

 culture, Pretoria. All information supplied in connection with this 

 investigation will, of coiirse, be treated as strictly confidential. 



