CUM A TIC REQUIREMENTS 



39 



The rainfall of the Argentine Maize-belt ranges from 315 chap. 



inches to 39-4 inches, but 

 this is divided with fair 

 uniformity between summer 

 and winter. March is the 

 rainiest month, and April 

 is about as wet as February, 

 which is unfortunate for the 

 drying of the grain ; this is 

 one of the greatest draw- 

 backs to maize-growing in 

 Argentina. The winter is 

 wet and frosty, which makes 

 it difficult to get the grain 

 into merchantable condi- 

 tion, and to store it satis- 

 factorily ; the consequent 

 percentage of loss in Argen- 

 tine cargoes during the 

 ocean voyage is heavy. 

 Even when the greatest 

 care is exercised, the un- 

 favourable climatic condi- 

 tions are likely to handicap 

 maize-growing in Argen- 

 tina. 



The following table 

 (VII), prepared with the 

 courteous assistance of the 

 director and staff of the 

 Government Observatory, 

 Johannesburg, shows that 

 the summer rainfall con- 

 ditions throughout a great 

 part of South Africa are 

 eminently suited to maize 

 production. Certain areas 

 must be excepted, however, 

 such as the Cape Peninsula 

 and the adjacent areas 



II. 



Pi G- g . —Grains cracked from exposure to 

 unfavourable weather conditions. 



