'86 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



ELSENBURG, MULDERS VLEI, CAPE. 



CUmaiic. — The rainfall during the month was exceptionally heavy, 5.34 

 inches being recorded, as against the normal average of 2.68 inches. Most 

 of this rain fell l>etween the nth and 17th instant. The maximum tempera- 

 ture was 82° F. on the 22nd instant, and the minimum 43.5° F. on the 4th. 



Field, Operations, Crops, etc. — A further quantity of rape seed was sown 

 for summer grazing, the total area under this crop at present being 80 acres. 

 The main " braaking " cperations are now completed, an area of 250 acres at 

 Elsenburg and Mariendahl being ready for next season's cereal crops. The 

 cereal crops are looking very well on both the farm lands and the experimental 

 section, the " variety ' plots making a particularly fine show. Approximately 

 7000 vines were planted at Mariendahl during the month. A number of apple 

 trees of several varieties weie planted in the orchard .it KUenburg, also a 

 number of olives, and in the nursery a (juantity of prune seed and olive 

 cuttings. 



Lii'e Stock. — A further improvement in condition of all live s^ock is notice- 

 able. .All the cattle to be offered at the annual sale were submitted to the 

 tuberculin test with negative results. 



A great increase in egg production is observed in the poultry section since 

 the installation of the intensive house. The average production is now 100 

 eggs per diem, and the fertility of the eggs of birds mated intensively appears 

 to be excellent. 



Staff. — Mr. E. Baker, Lecturer in Botany, resumed duty at Elsenburg 

 during the month after six months' leave of absence. 



It is with deepest regret that the death on the 24th instant of Mr. W. O. 

 John, Lecturer in Poultry, is reported. The institution and the poultry indus- 

 try in particular suffer a severe loss in his untimely decease. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



Climatic. The weather was comparatively warm and dry, and high winds 

 have been prevalent. On the 4th and 5th .74 inch of rain was registered. 

 Frosts occurred on the nights of the 3rd, 14th, 24th and 2Sth. 



School. — The total number of students in residence during the month was 

 64, consisting of 14 seniors, 38 iuniors, and 12 one-year students. 



On the i8th, 26 students of the Normal College, Bloemfontein, visited the 

 institution, and were given lectures and demonstrations in liorticulture and 

 animal husbandry. 



Farm. — Some of the winter cereals are coming into ear already, and if any 

 late frosts should occur considerable damage will ensue. 



The fields intended for summer crops are being harrowed and put into a 

 good tilth so that when the spring rains arrive the seed beds would require 

 very little extra preparation. Some lucerne fields as well as some of the oat 

 crops were irrigated during the last week, and ought now to survive without 

 further application. 



Live Stock. — The annual sale of pure-bred stock was held on the i4tli 

 instant whtjn the whole of the Lincoln Red herd was disposed of, in addition to 

 "the following animals : — 2 Percheron stallions, 3 Friesland cattle, 5 South 

 Devon bulls, 3 Berkshire pigs, 12 Large Black pigs, 13 AV-'anganella sheep, 6 

 Tasmanian sheep. 



The stock offered for sale were in good condition, and the prices as a 

 whole were fairly satisfactory, and the amount of .£"3174. los. was realized. 

 The demand for pigs was keen, and the prices obtained were good. 



The following stud bulls were aded to the herds during the month : — 

 1 South Devon bull, "George TIL"; 1 Friesland bull, "Sheltered Vale 

 Karel." 



Educational Tours of Students. — On ist and 2nd September the senior 

 students attended the Beef Breed. Stud Sales, and on the 15th the Friesland 

 Stud Sales. On the 25th the senior students, accompanied Mr. Dormehl, 

 Conservator of Forests, to the Arboretum and certain plantations in Bloem- 

 fontein. 



