IO4 CEREALS 



only about i per cent, of the total world's production, 

 while the United States of America contributes 75 per 

 cent. But there is no reason why South Africa 'should 

 not contribute a much larger percentage; in fact, as a 

 field for maize growing, British South Africa is the most 

 suitable and most promising undeveloped area of equal 

 size in the whole world. 



We have an ample average rainfall, at the right season 

 of the year, and phenomenally favourable winter weather 

 for the natural production of the quality of grain most 

 suitable for shipment, whereas Argentina is always 

 hampered by her autumn rains, which often seriously 

 damage the crop. Owing to the dryness of the winter 

 over the greater part of South Africa, the farmer is able 

 to continue harvesting and shelling in the field up to the 

 very day when he starts planting the new crop; in this 

 respect he has an enormous advantage over the farmer 

 in either North or South America. The percentage of 

 grain which is damaged by the weather is exceedingly 

 small; the moisture-content of the grain exported (with- 

 out artificial drying) is some 4 per cent, lower than that 

 of the American-grown article. South Africa has, and 

 is likely to have for many years, an excellent local market 

 for a large part of her crop, the Rand mines alone taking 

 over 75,000 tons (Colonial) per annum. Because she 

 owns her own railroads she can carry her surplus to the 

 coast ports at cost. With this great advantage in her 

 favour, South Africa has gobd reason for optimism as to 

 the future of her maize industry; there is good ground 

 for the prophecy that she is to become the maize granary 

 of Europe. 



Our present average yield is low (not over 4 muids 

 14 bushels per acre), but good farmers are pro- 

 ducing an average of 20 muids (72 bushels) of maize 

 per acre. I expect to see still better yields as our maize 

 lands get into better " heart " with more humus in the 

 soil; in fact, one crop of the present season is reported 

 to average 28 muids (100 bushels). The present low 

 average yield is considered just about to cover expenses 

 of production; if the yield were more than doubled, there- 

 fore, maize growing should pay handsomely. 



