Schools of AGRlcuLTURfe and Experiment Stations. 69l 



indigenous grass, Las wintered well in a dry area, and is now quite fresh and 

 vigorous. Some new varieties of potatoes have been carefully nursed through 

 the winter and are now responding well to improved weather conditions. 



Stock. — Three Shorthorn calves Avere born during the month, one of these 

 being a fine bull calf from the champion cow 32S. One of the calves was 

 deformed and died shortly after birth. All the stock are in fairly good condition. 

 The majority are being fed with silage. 



Horticulture. — Pruning is now completed, and the trees have been given a 

 dormant spray of lime-sulphur, 1 in 8. The pears were sprayed with a 1 in 30 

 mixture, as the buds are already expanding. Many of the peaches and the 

 Keiffer and I^e Comte pears are already well in bloom. The plums are just 

 breaking. An experimental orchard for the testing of different varieties has 

 been started, varieties showing greatest resistance to woully aphis having been 

 worked on French crab stocks. 



Chemical Laboratory. — Most of the samples analysed in the laboratoi-y this 

 nu)nth were soils forwarded by farmers in order to ascertain the manurial needs. 

 As usual, all the soils were distinctly acid in reaction and contained but a 

 minute proportion of carbonate of lime. This shows that lime is a very 

 important manure to supply the needs of Natal soils, and, although no startling 

 improvement may be seen in the crop production in the first season, the beneficial 

 effects of the continued application of lime will be apparent after a few seasons. 

 It must be remembered, however, that the application of lime will not make 

 up for the deficiency of any other constituents, such as phosphate or potash, 

 but it will undoubtedly assist in rendering available any of these constituents 

 that may be present in an insoluble form. 



Studerds. — There were 59 probationers in residence at Cedara and 5 at 

 AVinkle Spruit at the end of the month. 



ELSENBURG, MULDERS VLEI, CAPE. 



Climatic. — Mild weather prevailed practically throughout the month, and 

 the rainfall was comparatively small — 1.64 inches (26th July to 25th August), 

 the normal average being over 4 inches. The maximum temperature recorded 

 was 81.4° F. on the 24th instant, and the minimum 39.4° F. on the 12th. 



Field Operations, Crops, etc. — The only crop sown during the month was 

 rape, an additional 22 acres being put in. A large amount of " braaking " was 

 effected, and about 150 acres of gi-owing crops cultivated. The cereal crops, on 

 the whole, are looking well. Approximately 60 acres of land were prepared for 

 the sowing of mealies. The manuring, ploughing, and pruning of the vine- 

 yards were completed. At Mariendahl a further area of 8 acres was ploughed 

 and subsoiled for the planting of vines. Pruning operations in the orchards 

 were completed. All the deciduous fruit trees were sprayed with lime-sulphur, 

 1-15 and 1-10. About 3000 Redding olive seeds, 60 almond stocks, a number of 

 fig cuttings, and plum and almond-rooted seedlings were planted. 



Live Stock. — With the improvement of natural pastures the condition of the 

 stock in general is improving, and the milk yield of the dairy herds shows a 

 further increase. Thirteen cows of the Friesland herd are entered for the 

 Advanced Registry. Orders for pure-bred pigs are increasingly numerous from 

 all parts of the Union, and eight Large Blacks will shortly be dispatched to the 

 South-West Protectorate. 



Experimental and Investigational Work. — The experimental ranges, on the 

 whole, are looking very well, particularly the "variety" plots. But certain 

 ranges which were unavoidably planted rather late, notably the " Mixed 

 Fodder " experiments, are backward, due to late planting and to the cold, wet 

 nature of the soil. 



Interesting observations are being made in regard to the following crosses : 

 Berkshire boar-Tamworth sow, Berkshire boar-Large Black sow. Large Black 

 boai-Tam worth sow, Large Black boar-Berkshire sow. In addition, many 

 Berkshires and Large Blacks are being kept for straight breeding. Accurate 

 records are being kept in regard to the prolificacy of the various crosses and 

 pure-breds, the gestation and oestrum periods, and also the weights and feed 

 consumption of all animals from tiifte of weaning until of marketable age. 

 The relative eflBciency of the various types as " baconers " will also be determined. 



Other investigations in regard to spraying, and soil and fertilizer problems 

 are progressing satisfactorily. 



