Schools of Agriculture and Experiment Stations. 883 



School — Thn lotal mitnbn- of students in residence during the month was 

 fifty-eight, three having ieft since last month. Miss R. Oosthuizen, Lecturer 

 in Household Science, assumed duty here on the 15th, and Mr. G. W. Mogg- 

 luige, assistant stockman, on the 1st. 



Farm. — With the rain on the 2nd the river came down, replenishing our 

 water supply to such an extent that it was possible to give the winter cereals, 

 as well a- the lucerne fields, another irrigation. The oat crops are promising 

 well, and thoso sown early in the winter which are in ear now, should mature 

 without any further waterings. A fairly large acreage of Sudan grass was put 

 in ; this is now coming up after the recent rain we have had. 



Live Stock. — The health of the animals on the farm has been satisfactory, 

 except that the Percheron stallion Krampton is at present suffering from 

 laminitis. He has been very bad, but it is hoped that he will recover. Owing 

 to an inadeqr.ate supply of roughage, which is always very scarce at this time 

 of the year, there has been a marked decrease in the milk flow of the dairy 

 herd. 



Exppy-imeTJ s.- ~Tho variety tests of the winter cereals are promising well. 

 The grounds for summer experiments have been properly laid out and prepared 

 by the Assistant E.'ipcrinientalist, and planting of such crops as kaffir corn, 

 peanuts, and cowpeas has been commenced. 



Kngineerinij. — Tht Ijecturer in charge of this division reports that the 

 farm buildings have been painted, several small construction works hape been 

 carried out, and a considerable amount of pumping was done for irrigation 

 purposes. 



Poultry. — The Lecturer in Poultry assisted at the Poultry Day held at 

 the School of Agriculture, Cedara, on the 4th October, and subsequently paid 

 a visit to Durban to examine some eggs in connection with the export of eggs. 

 Incubation is being closed down, the young stock are growing well, and, on the 

 whole, the birds are in good condition and laying well. 



Entomology. — The Entomologist reports that a considerable amount of his 

 time was devoted to the destruction of flies. In connection with this work, 

 poison-sprayed branches were hung in the cow-byres and pig-sties. Fairly 

 satisfactory result? were obtained, especially in the former, where no other 

 food is a\ailable at certain periods of the day. Manure was also placed in 

 tins to tempt the flies to lay therein, and the larvae were then fed to the 

 chickens. This seems to be an effective method of controlling the breeding. 



Horticulture. — The Horticulturist visited Grey College, Bloemfontein, and 

 gave advice on grafting, budding, and other matters re fruit trees. The 

 vegetable garden promises well, and it is expected soon to furnish sufficient 

 vegetables for both hostels. Lawns were laid down in front of the educational 

 buildings, trees were sprayed for codling moth, and fruit was thinned out. 



Dairying. — This division has suffered under a great handicap owing to the 

 lack of facilitier". for demonstration and practice in dairying. When the new 

 dairy building is completed better work will be accomplished. There are still 

 six Frie<land cows under test for the advanced registry. 



GROOTFONTEIN, MIDDELBURG, CAPE. 



Climatic. — The higiiest temperature recorded was 9-1° F. on the 21sc. The 

 weather was very chang.^able and. frost was experienced on the 9th. T-he 

 rainfall was .13 inch. 



Farm. — During the month, in spite of the extreme changes of weather, 

 the crops have made fair growth. About 60 acres of oats are now in full ear, 

 and the latest sown oats are doing Avell. An area of about 75 acres of lucerne 

 is almost ready to cut; the .students started cutting the most advanced portion 

 on the 25th. The veranda fencing round the first four jackal-proof camps has 

 been completed. 



Experimental Section. — The crops in this section are fairly well advanced 

 considering the unseasonable weather. A few of the earlier varieties of wheats 

 were slightly frost-bitten The Chinese lucerne, which was cut on the 15th 

 September, is now well advanced, but the second crop will be utilized for seed 



