35 



crease in size and run together, and the 

 whole leaf, or large parts of it become 

 of a pale yellow colour. Subsequently these 

 yellow patches turn brown and the tissue 

 dies and dries up, becoming brittle and 

 easily broken. The particular fields which 

 came under my observation were no doubt 

 suffering from a severe and even attack, 

 as the older leaves were quite dead, whilst 

 the newer were the healthier, although 

 marked all over with these small yellow 

 patches. The intermediate leaves were 

 in intermediate stages of attack. Some 

 were quite yellow in parts, othets were 

 wholly yellow and the tips turning brown, 

 whilst in others again, half the leaf would 

 be dead, and the basal half yellow or 

 reddish brown. 



After the leaves have turned brown a 

 fine and delicate film is to be noticed 

 upon its surface. This is the later stage 

 of the fungus, and if it is examined 

 with a powerful microscope this little 

 filmy growth will be seen to be carry- 

 ing numerous little fruits known as 

 spores. 



In conjunction with this disease a 

 good deal of maize rust was also noticed, 

 but I think that this was due to the 

 impoverished and weakened state of the 

 tissues. It is impossible in this instance 



to ascribe the attack to any particular 

 cause, although there is a possibility 

 that the plants were sown too thickly, 

 being ensilage mealies, and also that 

 there was an excess of water in the soil. 



In considering preventive treatment, 

 an important point to bear in mind is 

 the fact that the leaves bearing the spors 

 of the disease become brittle and break 

 off, and so impregnate the soil with 

 spores. In case of an attack upon mealies 

 grown for corn, the crop should be 

 harvested as early as possible, and the 

 whole field immediately burnt off. For 

 several subsequent seasons too, it would 

 be inadvisable to plant further crops of 

 mealies in the same lands. 



Mooi River Creamery m 



WE are informed that the additional 

 Cdpital required by this Creamery 

 has been over-subscribed, and that in the 

 course of a few days the letters of allot- 

 ment and regret will be posted. 



The Creamery is advertising a meeting 

 to be held on the 30th inst., at which, 

 among other business, a proposition will 

 be brought forward for increasing the 

 capital to £12,000. 



District Reports, 



BULWER, 21st March.— The rainfall for the 

 fortnight ended this day has been a record in 

 this locality. It has rained every day except 

 yesterday. The farmers are beginning to 

 grumble all round of too much wet and want of 

 sunshine for the crops. I regret to have to 

 report that in connection with the outbreak of 

 the lungsickness disease on the farm Coleft>rJ 

 that heavy looses are being sustained in the in- 

 fected troop, and there is reason to believe the 

 diseas3 has been spread to another farm in the 

 upper pjart of this Division. Horsesickness has 

 made its appearance among Native horses 

 running about the blateeni Range ; several 

 deaths have been reported. Also, about the 

 Umkomazi Valley I hear several horses have 

 died from the disease. It is evidenc that as 

 soon as the wet season closes there will be a 

 good deal of horsesickness about the low country, 

 and great care will require to be taken by 

 owners. Sheep-stealing seems to be rife in 

 some parts of the Division, as many farmers 

 comp'ain of heavy losses in this respect The 

 Public Works Department is now carrying 

 out the additional Government buildings 



here in connection with the gaoler's 

 quarters and Magistrate's house. I notice 

 brick foundations with cement are being 

 put in. This seems strange, as there is a good 

 freestone quarry on the Township Reserve. 

 Sand has to be specially prepared and brought 

 from a distance of two miles, or from the 

 TJmkomaas River, about fifteen miles from 

 Bulwe', to be mixed with the cement, so that it 

 cannot be ,on the score of economy that brick 

 foundations are being built. All crops in the 

 District look well and promise to be heavy. 



H. W. Boast, Magistrate. 



HOWICK, 26th March.— There has been a 

 marked change in the weather during the past 

 three weeks. Since the 1st instant, heavy rams 

 have fallen on 14 days, the total rainfall since 

 that date being 4.49 inches, with the consequence 

 that the rivers and streams are all full, which 

 replenishment was greatly needed to meet the 

 coming winter, the approach of which is mani- 

 fested by the cold nights. The maximum 

 temperature during the same period was 89degs. 



