754 Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



they were wont to obtain their water supply, had a very anxious 

 and terrifying time. The stream, ordinarily about 5 yards broad, 

 soon overflowed its banks and widened out to about 100 yards, and 

 the flood-water rose to about 4 feet round some of the huts, completely 

 flooding them. In this emergency, escape being cut off, they fastened 

 their wagons with chains to tree stumps to place their wives and 

 families on should the flood increase. Fortunately the storm subsided 

 before this was necessary. 



The plight of two native famalies living below the Bambunyoko 

 Forest might also be described. One, Mpipi by name, was working 

 in the forest on the day of the storms, but about noon he made for 

 his kraal, as he thouglit a storm was brewing. He and his family 

 occupied two huts on a ridge, and his neighbour also had two huts 

 on another ridge about 50 yards away. The water rushing from the 

 hills soon completely surrounded and cut them off from help, and 

 they had perforce to spend the night shaking with terror in their 

 huts. The water rose steadily and swept past in such force that it 

 carried off horses, fowls, goats, and pigs that happened to be standing 

 near one of the huts. The horses managed to crawl out lower down, 

 but four goats, a pig, and nearly all the fowls were lost. The fact 

 that this particular hut was built on sloping ground saved it from 

 being washed away, as the water rose to over 2 feet in height around 

 it. 



It is difficult, if not impossible, to convey an adequate idea of 

 the extraordinary havoc wrought by these short but terrific storms. 

 Tlie accompanying photographs, showing the destruction, are accord- 

 ingly reproduced, as it is felt that they more than anything else, 

 except, perhaps an actual visit to the locality made immediately after 

 the storms, will at a glance show that which no words can properly 

 express. 



Export of Grain, etc. 



During August, 1920, 7267 bags maize and oOO of maize meal 

 were graded and exported through the various ports, while in Sep- 

 tember the exports were 8,111 bags maize, 650 bags maize meal, 

 6352 bags hominy chop, 125 bags oats, and 216 bags lucerne seed. 

 The total quantity of bags exported from the 1st July last to 30th 

 September was : Maize, 18,141; maize meal, 1370; hominy chop, 

 6352; oats, 125; beans, 138; and lucerne seed, 216. The stccks on 

 hand at all ports on the latter date were, m bags : Maize, 2881 ; 

 maize meal, 2541; hominy chop, 595; and lucerne seed, 60. 



The 1920 Vintage of South Australia. 



The 1920 vintage of South Australia was 5,085,939 gallons (a 

 decrease of 22.28 per cent, on the previous season), valued at £643,738. 

 The last three vintages substantially exceed all previous records. 

 Averaging the past five years 1916-1920, the following are the chief 

 items of the industry annually, viz. : Grapes used, 29,682 tons; M-ine 

 made, 4,726,431 gallons; average per ton, 159 gallons; estimated 

 value, £504,804; stocks, 6,113,960 gallons. 



