706 Journal ot^ the Department oe* AGtucuLTtftfi. 



Mallet and Wattle Bark. 



The Principal of the Cedara Sclinol of Agriculture reports that 

 some samples of mallet hark growing- on a Natal farm were found on 

 analysis to have a tannin content tliat compai-ed very favourably with 

 that of mature black wattle bark, thoug-h the total yield of bark per 

 acre would lie much lower. The amount of tannin matter in the 

 air-dried bark from the base of tlie tree was 41 per cent., and from 

 the bark from the top of the tree the amount was 29 per cent. The 

 yellow greatly predominated in the colour of the infusion, and in this 

 respect it is probable that it would make a good mixture with wattle 

 bark as a tanning agent. 



Experiments to ascertain the rate at which green wattle bark 

 loses its moisture wdien allowed to lie in the shade in hurdles away 

 from the influence of sun and weather, showed that on an average 

 28 per cent, of the weight was lost in forty-eight hours. To the many 

 extract factories in this Province who buy bark largely in the green 

 state these figures should be useful. 



World's Poultry Congress. 



Upon the initiative of the International Association of Poultry 

 Instructors and Investigators, arrangements are now in process for 

 the holding of a A¥orld's Poultry Congress. At the invitation of the 

 Netherlands Government the Congress, the first of its kind, will be 

 held at the Hague in the early part of September, 1921. Matters of 

 the highest interest to the poultry industry will be discussed at this 

 Congress, as will be seen from the range of subjects already set 

 down, viz. : (a) State and other official action, including reconstruc- 

 tion ; (b) the training and necessary qualifications of poultry 

 instructors for educational and demonstration work ; (c) science of 

 breeding and its jjiactical application ; (d) experiments and investiga- 

 tion ; (e) egg and poultry production as separate industries and in 

 connection with cultivation; (/) opportunities for women in the 

 poultry industry; (y) hygiene and disease; {Ji) organization and 

 influence of exhibitions and laying trials; (/) general management 

 and systems of incubation and rearing; (,/) international and national 

 trade' in eggs and poultry, inclusive of co-operation and oiganization 

 of poultry societies. 



During the Congress it is proposed to hold an exliibition of 

 breeds of poultry from all parts of the world, also of poultry houses 

 and appliances used in different countries. 



The Congress is arousing a great deal of attention, and in 

 England, Erance, Belgium, Denmark, the United States, and Cf.nada 

 influential committees have been formed for the purpose of assisting 

 the objects of the Congress and of electing representatives and collect- 

 ing exhibits. In the Union also the matter is receiving the attention 

 of tncse interested in the poultry industry, and, while it is not 

 probable that this Department Avill be able to spare any of its poultry 

 experts for attendance at the Congress an endeavour will be made for 

 a delegate representing the Department to be present. The question 

 of forming a committee for arranging the representation of South 

 Africa at the Congress will be discussed at ihe forthcoming conference 

 of the S.A. Poultrv Association to be held at Bulawayo on the 9th 

 November, 1920. 



