526 MAIZE 



CHAP. 284,000,000 bushels as compared with the previous year, and 



XIL of 211,000,000 bushels as compared with the yield of 1905. 



But " it is always a difficult matter to suggest what surplus 



for export may exist in America ; it largely depends upon the 



price obtainable ". 



504. Natal Shipments, 1907. — In September, 1907, the 

 Natal Agricultural Journal (Vol. X, No. 9, p. 1022) reported 

 that :— 



" Mr. J. M. Westbrook, of the Dalton Farmers' Association, 

 has been appointed by the Government as Inspector of Mealies 

 at the Point. Not only are many farmers taking advantage 

 of the Government grading, but the majority of the merchants 

 also recognize the advantages to be derived therefrom and are 

 having all the mealies passing through their hands for export, 

 graded and weighed before shipment. This enables the 

 mealies to be sold on sample before arrival. Renter 's agent 

 cabled on 20 September that mealies were realizing 25s. 7\d. 

 a quarter of 480 lbs. on the London market, a price equivalent 

 to tos. 8d. gross per muid of 200 lbs. If the Natal mealies 

 realize the same figure, the net amount will be from 8s. 2d. 

 to 8s. 9d. a muid according to the distance from the port. 

 Merchants have this season — up to the date of these notes 

 being written — sent away some 50,000 bags, and there are 

 some 20,000 more at the Point ready for shipment. Farmers 

 have sent away some 2,000 odd bags through the Government, 

 and other consignments are coming forward by rail, so that it 

 will be seen that a sufficient quantity is being shipped to prove 

 the success or otherwise of the exportation." 



In October, 1907, we find the following note in the Natal 

 Agricultural Journal, Vol. X, No. 10, page 1185 : — 



" Most gratifying are the results of the effort that is being 

 made to establish an export trade in grain with Great Britain. 



" Once more we see the truth of the principle that adversity 

 brings strength — in national as in individual life. Our com- 

 mercial depression — one day we shall have cause to bless this 

 much-maligned depression of ours ! — has made us look to our 

 own resources ; and here we are with every prospect of some 

 .£200,000 or more coming into the country within the next 

 two or three months as payment for the sale overseas of the 



