Notes. 807 



Selection of Seed. — In order that an even crop may result, the 

 rhizomes should be divided into three grades before setting. 



Planting. — This is performed at any time from September to 

 December. The rhizomes are planted in drills, 3 inches in depth, 

 3 feet apart, and 2 feet between each plant. They are covered with 

 soil, and later banked up. 



After-cnltivation. — The drills should be kept free from weeds 

 and the soil in a loose condition. This can be accomplished by hand- 

 hoeing and cultivating between the rows at frequent intervals. 



It takes approximately eight months for the crop to mature. 

 The rhizomes may be allowed to remain in tlie soil for some time after 

 they have ripened. 



The Madumba finds a ready sale on the markets, and is largely 

 purchased by the natives. It also makes a good feed for pigs. The 

 yield cannot be compared with sweet potatoes. It is a much more 

 expensive crop to raise on account of the extra labour required in 

 weeding, whereas the sweet potato chokes out all weed growth after 

 a short period. 



The following is the composition of Madumba tubers, analysed 

 at Cedara in January, 1913 : Moisture, 76.5; ash, 1.1. ; crude protein, 

 3.2; crude fat, 0.2; soluble carbohydrates, 17.8; crude fibre, 1.2. 



The Union's Timber Supply. 



In a short summary outlining the steps which should be taken 

 to protect and develop the forest resources of this country, the Forest 

 Department states that such resources are insignificant in proportion 

 to the Union's needs. The indigenous forests produce timbers which, 

 for special purpose, are unsurpassed in the world, and for which 

 there will always be a strong demand. In this connection the value 

 of Stinkwood (Ocotea hullata) for furniture and other purposes may 

 be mentioned. There is such a good market for it that it freely 

 fetches 10s. per cube. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that 

 research and investigation should be instituted so that the most 

 effective steps may be taken to render the forests as highly productive 

 as possible. In their present uncultivated condition the forests yield 

 a very poor increment, but there is no doubt that, with the application 

 of proper sjlvicultural principles, they could give a greatly enhanced 

 yield. As a preliminary to tlie introduction of improved methods, 

 the urgency for the study of the sylvicultural requirements of the 

 numerous species composing the forests is undoubted. In the past, 

 owing to the insufficiency of the numbers of the trained staff, and 

 to the time of the few men qualified to undertake the subject Iseing 

 almost entirely devoted to administrative duties, there has been no 

 opportunity of dealing with the matter. The opening up of the forests 

 by roads, and the more complete utilization of the timber, are matters 

 that call for attention; while a carefid study of many of the timbers, 

 the uses and value of which are at present little known, is a matter 

 of great importance. 



But the future of forestry in South Africa is dependent on the 

 extension of plantations, for the indigenous forests, even under proper 



