Schools of Agriculture and Experiment Stations. «)93 



in dry soil and wetting afterwards to obtain germination. Both methods are to 

 have the same treatment subsequently as to watering, etc. ; (b) broadcasting 

 versus drilling; (c) guano versus no guano. The soil contains a high percentage 

 of lime, and owing to negative results in the past it is thought possible that 

 the lime might neutralize the otherwise beneficial effect of the fertilizer; hence 

 the comparative experiment. 



All wheat, oats, and barley experiments are making good growth, a 

 bird-resisting variety of wheat being foremost. Several root selections were 

 made from the Chinese variety of lucerne; this variety is now about a foot high, 

 and, although heavy frosts wera experienced during the month it has not been 

 affected. In the sheep-feeding experiment the Durum wheats and Cape rye 

 are giving the most growth ; cold weather has retarded (and in some 

 cases killed) the barleys, rape, kale, and oats. Thousands of spineless cactus 

 leaves have been cut for delivery in September. 



Dairy Section.- — The special dairy course students of this institution paid 

 a visit to the Tweespruit Dairies and the Bloemfontein Creamery. Practical 

 instruction was given in the manufacturing of cheddar and gouda cheese, the 

 judging and grading of cheese, and the grading of cream. The visit was of 

 great educational value to the men, who intend qualifying for responsible positions 

 in factory dairies. The students also paid a visit to the municipal sewage farm. 

 The operations dealing with the disposal of the .*iewage were closely followed, and 

 information was elicited dealing with the crops raised, yield, etc. 



(Jhemical Section. — Arrangements are in hand for the condiict of irrigation 

 experiments at this institution, the chemical section collaborating with other 

 sections interested in the work. During the hist few months several samples 

 of water have been submitted for analy.sis, with the complaint that they had 

 proved injurious to crops. In every case the water was found to be " brak." 



Sheep Section. — On the 26tb of July thirteen special .sheep and wool 

 students accompanied Mr. Mellet, Government Sheep Expert, on the annual 

 tour arranged in conjunction with this course, visiting various farms and the 

 Stud Ram Sales at Bloemfontein. 



Poultry Section. — Organized by the S. A. Railways Poultry Club, a highly 

 successful "Poultry Week" was held at Johannesburg, from the 9th to the 

 14th of the month. It was the annual exhibition of poultry appliances and com- 

 mercial products. Lectures and practical demonstrations were given daily by 

 the Lecturers in Poultry from the Agricultural Schools at Potchefstroom, Glen, 

 and Grootfontein. Some 3300 people attended, evidence of the public's interest. 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



Climatic. — Mild weather was experienced during the month, the absolute 

 maximum temperature registered amounted to 83.5° on the 29th. The absolute 

 minimum reached 27° on two days, the 5th and 16th respectively. A few 

 degrees of frost were registered on five nights only during the early part of 

 the month. The weather was overcast on several days, but no rain fell. Severe 

 winds from the north-west were experienced during the latter stages of the 

 period under revdew. Scarcity of irrigation Avater has become apparent very 

 early this season. 



Farm Section. — Some 12 acres of black soil were ploughed, disk-harrowed, 

 sown to oats and vetch, and rolled. This crop was sown as an experiment to 

 provide grazing for sheep in the early spring. This black soil has broken down 

 remarkably well ; 60 acres under lucerne have been cultivated with Lucerne 

 King Cultivator. 



Top-dressings of Government guano were applied early in the month to 

 the crops of wheat and oats. All the winter cereal crops have been irrigated 

 and .subsequently harrowed. A small piece of ground near the farm buildings, 

 to be sub-divided and fenced in for pig camps, has been sown to lucerne. There 

 is promise of a good stand. 160 bags of rnaize were thrashed. Owing to the 

 scarcity of bedding a large quantity of veld grass was cut on a neighbouring 

 farm. Other farm operations consisted of fencing, road-making, sorting and 

 grading of seed maize. 



Live Stock. — Cattle are m.iintaining their condition well. Breeding cows of 

 beef breed have run on mealie stalks and have been fed on mangels. They are 

 in good condition, but, unfortunately, owing to the drought of last year, a 

 poor crop of spring calves is expected. 



