3 68 



The reconstitution of the vineyards by vines grafted on 

 American plants is actively pursued; the stocks employed for 

 grafting are well adapted to the soil and climate, and assure 

 an abundant yield. The privileged position of Northern Africa 

 has been asserting itself for some years past, which have been 

 unfavourable for viticulture in the home country; cryptogamic 

 diseases are rare there or more easily contended with. Vine 

 beetles (altises), mildew, and especially the drying wind, the 

 sirocco, are the most serious enemies. 



The vine-stocks employed are those of the south of France : 

 Carignan, Mourvedre, Petits Bouschet, Aramon, Clairette and 

 Cuisant; table grapes (Chasselas) are cultivated on the coast 

 and are the subject of an important trade. 



The future of this industry in Northern Africa seems superb 

 from the point of view of cultivation. From the economic 

 point of view, if the cost of production is very appreciably less 

 than in the home country, the situation might nevertheless 

 become critical if new plantations were developed thought- 

 lessly; in any case, home viticulture would suffer the 

 consequences first. The author draws this conclusion from 

 his detailed study of Tunisian, Algerian and Moroccan wine- 

 growing, giving for each country the figures of production, 

 area planted with vines, and describing the types of wines 

 produced. 



TEFF, A VALUABLE TROPICAL AND SUB-TROPICAL HAY 



CROP. 



By JOSEPH BURTT-DAVY, F.L.S., F.R.G.S. 



Owing to the remarkable success which has attended the 

 introduction of teff (Eragrostis abyssinica) into South Africa, 

 it is highly desirable that the value of this grass should be 

 brought to the notice of the members of the Congress. 



Teff is an annual hay grass, particularly suitable for use as 

 a summer catch-crop, and a smother-crop for weeds, owing 

 to its rapid growth when weather conditions are at all favour- 

 able. It gives a heavy yield of hay of exceedingly fine quality 

 and high nutritive value, more nearly resembling English 

 meadow hay than any other hay grass grown in South Africa. 

 If sown with the early spring rains, the writer has been able 

 to cut three crops of hay in the season, giving 2j to 3 tons 

 per acre, and to obtain autumn grazing from the aftermath. 



The introduction of teff grass into South Africa has raised 

 many small farmers struggling for a living to positions of 

 comparative comfort and independence. Our farmers are 

 unanimously agreed that this introduction alone has repaid 



