33 8 



MAIZE 



CHAP, total rainfall fell during growth, the crop suffered during 

 VIL December from drought, and, later, from a water-logged soil 

 and absence of sunshine. 



In the season 1909-10 the crops suffered from drought in 

 the early stages, were flooded out in December, recovered 

 somewhat, and produced a fair crop. 



In the last season (1910-11), owing to heavy early rains, 

 the young plants made rapid growth and got an excellent 

 start. Then came the drought, which reached, and continued 

 at, its worst at the time when the majority of the breeds were 

 at the most critical stage of growth, i.e. during the flowering 

 period. Owing to this, in many cases imperfect pollination 

 took place, which resulted in an abnormal proportion of small, 

 badly-filled ears. Rain fell after this, but to the end of the 

 season the fall was considerably below the average and quite 

 insufficient to produce the best results. 



The rainfall for the period 1906-7 to 1909-10 is given in 

 Table XLVII following: — 



Table XLVII. 



RAINFALL AT GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARM, POTCHEF- 

 STROOM, 1906-7 to igog-10. 



These climatic conditions are reflected in the yields. In 

 each year all the breeds were safe before frost occurred. 



