882 Journal of the Department of Acaiici'LTuiiE. 



The soluble carbohydrates included 1.2 per cent, of sucrose and 1 per cent, of 

 invert sugar. The number of food units is only 14.6 with a nutritive ratio 

 of 1 to 20.2 For comparison it may be stated that ordinary veld grass in the 

 green state, with the same amount of moisture, would have an approximate 

 nutritive value (in food units) of 15.9, so that the cane tops do not comp.ire 

 very favourably with the veld grass as a feed for stock. If fed, however, with 

 some concentrated food of a high nrotein ratio, it would make a very satis- 

 factory item in the animal's ration. 



SUidents. — Fifty-one probationers were in residence at the beginning oi 

 the month. Four ■':r\en were transferred to Winkle Spruit, five were admitted, 

 and eight men left, three obtaining positions on farms, and five left after 

 completing their course of training. Forty-four probationers are in residence 

 at present at Cedara and six at Winkle Spruit. 



ELSENBURG, MULDERS VLEI, CAPE. 



Climatic. — Mild and comparatively dry weather prevailed during the month. 

 The rainfall recorded up to the time of writing is 1.79 inch, the normal 

 average for October being 2.1 inches. The maximum temperature was 81.5° F. 

 on the 15th, and the minimum, 40.0° F., on the 4th. 



Field Operations, Crops, etc. — -Small areas were planted to kafiir water- 

 melons, maize (for ensilage), thousand-head kale, potatoes, Sudan grass, and 

 sorghums during the month. Cereal crops are showing up exceptionally well 

 on the farm lands, especially oats and rye, and an excellent harvest is assured. 

 Considerable time was devoted to budding and grafting in the orchards, and 

 also to spraying in connection with the control of codling moth, red scale, and 

 fusiclndium. The vineyards received their final cultivation. The young vines 

 planted at Mariendahl in September have taken well, and are making satis- 

 factory growth. 



Live Stock. — The condition of all live stock at present is highly satisfactory. 

 The annual stock sale took place on the 6th. In spite of the showery weather 

 there was a good attendance, and the prices realized for practically all classes 

 of live stock were excellent. Young Jersey bulls in particular were in great 

 demand and commanded exceptionally high prices. A considerable decrease in 

 egg-production was noticed in connection with the intensive poultry-house. 

 This is due apparently to the marked tendency of the heavy-breed hens to 

 become broody. It is concluded that heavy breeds of poultry are not adapted 

 to the intensive-house system. 



Extension Work. — The annual Grain Farmers' Conference was held on the 

 22nd. Owing to the threatening weather conditions, the attendance was 

 som.ewhat smaller than expected. Close upon a hundred visitors were present 

 and were conducted around the rotation, manurial, and general fertility 

 experiments and the cereal variety plots during the morning. In the after- 

 noon, lectures were delivered upon various phases of grain farming, including 

 soil fertility, crop varieties and diseases, and much int>.'resting discussion took 

 place. 



Investigational Wcrk. — Comparative experiment.xl trials of various insecti- 

 cides in the orchard are being continued by the Entomologist. An attempt 

 is being made to establish in the Cape Province parasites of the codling moth— 

 these parasites will be imported from Italy. Comparative tests are being 

 made by the Botanist reh.tivo to the efficacy for the control of fusicladium of 

 various fungicidal preparations. Numerous other investigations previously 

 referred to are being continued relating to soil fertility, mar.urial, and other 

 problems. 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



Climiitic. — On the 2nd, 24th, and 25th, 2.93 inches of rain were registered. 

 The maximum temperature was 95 degrees on the 22nd and 23rd, and the 

 minimum temperature was 33 degrees on the 8th. Frost was experienced on 

 the lower lands on that date. The weather has been otherwise normal for the 

 time of the year and the grass is now growing rapidly. 



