SHEEPBREEDING IN SOUTH AFRICA 217 



SHEEPBREEDING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



Despite droughts and the ravages of diseases unknown in Aus- 

 tralia, the flocks of South Africa (British) increased from 

 16,000,000 in 1904 to 36,000,000 in 1913. According to a recent 

 issue of the "Farmers' Weekly" published at Bloemfontein, the 

 estimated clip for the season 1917-18 was 490,000 bales. This 

 estimate is arrived at by taking the average quantity of bales 

 exported from South Africa during the last five years, but owing 

 to the season throughout the Union having been exceptionally 

 good, the clip is likely to exceed 500,000 bales. 



The number of bales of last season's wool left in the open 

 market was 478,348. 



The quantity of wool sold on open market and shipped during 

 the period 1st August, 1917, to 31st March, 1918, was as follows :— 



WOOL IN GREASE. 



Total 8,429.094 £1,401.970 



Average price per scoured lb., 39.93d. 



Total grease and scoured in bales of grease, 265,080 bales. 



In wool production, therefore. South Africa has made great 

 strides, and the limit of expansion has not yet been reached. 

 The writer visited the country about seven years ago, and it was 

 comparatively easy to note the scope for development of the 

 wool industry. There was, at that time, a remarkably keen in- 

 .terest in sheep, especially the Merino, and there were many fine 

 stud flocks, and millions of pure wool-bearing sheep. But at the 

 same time one could not look upon the vast extent of unfenced 

 veld without wondering how much fencing wire and subdivision 

 would add to the carrying capacity. 



