806 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



The Annual Report of the Department, 



Hitherto the auuual report has been au elaborate document and 

 has been regarded as the proper channel for recording- in detail the 

 activities of the Department. The rej)ort was issued for the financial 

 year which ends on the 31st March. This date being about the middle 

 of the Parliamentary Session, the preparation of the report had either 

 to be undertaken when other work was heaviest or had to be delayed 

 until the prorogation of Parliament. Usually delay occurred in its 

 preparation. The time taken in printing the bulky report also delaj^ed 

 its issue. The result has been a belated report which, although 

 retaining its value, had lost a great deal of its interest by the time it 

 reached the public. The report of the Department is really its 

 Agricultural Journal. The Department has come to the conclusion, 

 therefore, that, while a general review of its work for the year is 

 desirable, the report would serve all purposes if it were merely a brief 

 compendium relating the work in hand and the results achieved. The 

 report for 1918-19 is still in the press. That for 1919-20 will be issued 

 in the form described in this note and will appear simultaneouslj^ with 

 the earlier document. 



It is proposed to remove the handicap of issuing the report for the 

 financial year. In future the twelve months ended 30th June will be 

 regarded as the report year. The report for 1919-20 will, therefore, 

 cover fifteen months. By altering the report year, as stated, it will be 

 possible to present to Parliament a more up-to-date report than has 

 hitherto been practicable. 



Madumba (Dasheen) Root. 



The Madumba is the tuberous rhizome of a plaut largely culti- 

 vated in tropical countries, and by some of the natives and Indians 

 in South Africa. The plant has a short stem, with arrow-shaped leaves 

 attached to foot-stalks rising from the ground. The rhizomes are 

 rich in carbohydrates, hence their value as a human food. An acid 

 substance is also present, which, however, is rendered harmless after 

 boiling. Tliey are commonly known as " Kafhr Potatoes " by the 

 Europeans in Xatal, who utilize them as a vegetable. Starch of 

 excellent quality may be obtained from the Madumba, manufactured 

 in the same way as in the case of arrowroot. 



Cultivation. 



Soil (Mid Cliiiiafc. — A sandy loam, rich in organic matter, is best 

 suited for the crop. It will not thrive on a clay soil or pure sands. 

 A warm climate is essential for its successful growth, and it will 

 stand excessive heat and moisture. 



Pre/paration of the Land. — The land should be cross-ploughed 

 and well broken up by means of the disk harrow and worked with 

 the lespective tillage implements until a very fine tilth is obtained. 

 At time of planting, the soils should be free from weeds. 



