884 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



owing to the great vali.io of this variety due to its early spring and late 

 autumn growth. A new spineless cactus nursery has been established, and the 

 best varieties are being planted extensively in it. About 12,000 leaves were 

 dispatched to farmers during the month, and a number of orders for special 

 varieties could not be filled, but with the )iew ntiisery these varieties should 

 be available to a greater e.^tent next year. 



Cattle Section. — The young cattle have improved in condition. Several of 

 the calves from " Craigie Alf," the Friesland stud bull, are showing up remark- 

 ably well. 



Sheep Section. — The special sheep and wool students are nearing the comple- 

 tion of their course. Practically all sheep have been shorn, and, on the whole, 

 the sheep, and particularly the lambs, are looking well. 



The eight hundred guinea ram imported for this institution from Australia 

 arrived here safely and in good condition. It is hoped that this sire will be 

 of great benefit to the Wanganella flock. With a thirteen months' growth he 

 cut 33 lb. of strong bulky wool. 



The lambing of the pure-bred Karakul ewes was completed during the 

 month, and the result of the lambijig is given below. Total number of lambs 

 obtained, 88, made up as follows : • — 



Specials, 10; Class 1 , Id ; Class 1-2, 12; Class 2, 1-5; Class 2-3, 12; Class 3, 

 22; Class 4, 1. 



There are still a few pure-bred Karakul rains for sale at prices varying 

 from £o to £10 each. 



Enlomologicnl tS'eriion.--Baiting for the destruction ol house flies has been 

 oomnuuiced round all the stables and byres, and all the manure from these 

 is being carti^d away daily. As hatchings of brown lociu.ts have been reported 

 from the Midlands, all farmers are advised to keep a sharp look out for 

 hatchings on their farms and to notify the police of i-ny which may be 

 observe'l. 



Horticultural Section;. — Another busy month Ijas been spent in the vegetable 

 garden and orchard. The planting of vegetables has been conducted through- 

 out the month, all of which are doing well. The chief work in the orchards 

 has been the spraying for codling moth and the grafting of unprofitable fruit 

 trees. Frost was experienred tm the 9th and a considerable amount of damage 

 was done to the fruit crop, particularly the trees in the private gardens. A 

 new piece of ground has been cleared for an additional vegetable garden, and 

 this will make it possible to grow sufficient vegetables for the school's require- 

 ments. 



Poultry Section. — The Poultry Lecturer was absent from the institution 

 for some days during the )nonth assisting in the inspection of eggs for export 

 at Capetown. The Assistiint Lecturer, Mr. Nash, judged the Poultry Section 

 at Beaufort West Industrial Show, and states that there were some exhibits 

 of very good quality. One hundred chicks were hatched during the month. 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



CHiiL'itic. — The rainfall for the period 28th September to 28th October 

 amounted to 3.26 inches, most of wiiich fell on the first four days of October. 

 During the middle of the month rather drv and extremely hot weather was 

 experienced. The highest temperature was recorded on the 20th, when the 

 thermometer registered 96.5 degrees. Temperatures of 95 and 94 degrees were 

 registered on three days, in each case during the period under review. On the 

 other hand frost was observed on the mornings of the 7th and 8th, the minimum 

 temperature in the screen for the previous nights being 37.0° F. and 35.0° F. 

 respectively. 



Farm Section.- — Forty acres of lucerne and 28 acres of oats were irrigated 

 during the month. The supply of irrigation water has been good since the 

 rains. At this station 100 acres of land have been i)loughed and 30 acres cross- 

 ploughed. At Brakspruit 18 acres of virgin land were broken up and 40 acres 

 of ploughed land cultivated and planted to Red Cob Cango maize. A dressing 

 of fertilizer, amounting to 200 lb. per acre, was applied broadcast to this crop. 

 A clipping cf lucerne Avas made on a ihld idanted last May in order to remove 

 the weeds before the latter came into seed. 



