196 



wanted, probably £5 or £6 would be the 

 price. We in Canada do practically all 

 our sowing by seeders. Tht-se machines 

 sow in drills or broadcast, and, of course, 

 can be set for roots. They fetch from 

 £10 to £12. Mowers are largely manu- 

 factured in Canada both with horse and 

 ox-gear. Some years ago 1 witnessed in 

 our back parts a curious sight— a bull and 

 horse yoked in. In Canada we make our 

 bulls work. Mowers cost £8. The price 



of a first-class hooded buggie with drop 

 seat in front, and superior in every 

 respect, would be £25, and an open Glad- 

 stone, seated for four back to back, is sold 

 at £20." 



Of course there is nothing new in what 

 Mr. Cumming said to those who have 

 American and Canadian machinery cata- 

 logues, but to those who do not have 

 them the prices should prove of interest. 



District Reports. 



HOWICK, 4th June.— During the month of 

 May most unusual weather has been experi- 

 enced, heavy gales of wind prevailing from the 

 north and west, such winds in May not being 

 known by the oldest resident. The heavy frosts 

 which have fallen on six nights wrought a 

 marked change on the general aspect of the 

 country, the grass, which had kept very good, 

 being now quite dry. Many farmers, whenever 

 possible, are busy burning strips around their 

 farms, as firebreaks, but litely the heavy winds 

 have been so continuous as to almost prevent 

 this being done. The maximum temperature 

 during the past mon'h was 84 deg. On two 

 occasi°ons 4 deg. of frost were registered. Only 

 •07 in of rain fell during the past month, with 

 the consequence that the streams are running 

 very low. The farmers have taken advantage 

 of the dry weather and have completed their 

 hay-making, and many are now commencing to 

 reap their crops. With the exception of a few 

 cases of scab among sheep, the slock of the 

 District is in very good health, and considering 

 the dryness of the veld, is in good condition. 

 Horsesickness has entirely disappeared on the 

 advent of frost. I would remind the farmer^ of 

 this District that this Division has been brought 

 under the provisions of the Grass Burning Aco 

 No. .31 of 1895, and it behoves them to stu iy its 

 provisions before setting light to grass, as the 

 penalties are severe. 



J. W. CROSS, Magistrate. 



IXOPO, 3rd June.— During the last fortnight 

 the weather has been very cold, and there have 

 been severe frosts, and terribly high winds, with 

 the usual amount of dust. The gras- has turned 

 off, and I fear the approaching winter will be 

 an extremely bid one for poor stock, and whose 

 owners have not grown winter foodstuffs. A 

 few horses have died from apparently horse- 

 sickness ; but horses, cattle and other stock look 

 exceedingly well. The Natives have paid up their 

 hut-tax, amounting to about £(')'>, and appear to 

 have plenty of money. On inspecting the Native 

 Location, I was glad t(. sue that goats are being 

 largely bred by Natives ; but there are no 

 Angora goats, and I may add that in the adjoin- 

 ing territory of East (rri<iualand, there are 



numbers of very fine flocks of Angora goats ; 

 the progenitors of which are said to have been 

 imported from Asia Minor about sixty years ago. 



Frank E. Foxon, Magistrate. 



NEW HA.NOVER, 3rd June.— Strong north 

 easterly winds and piercing cold have been the 

 prevaHiog feature of the last fortnight. Horse- 

 sickness has died out. There have been a few 

 ca'es of glanders at Noodsberg Road; the 

 affected animals were quickly disposed of, and 

 as there has been no fresh cases since, the 

 disease has presumably been stamped out. There 

 is another disease prevalent among horses which 

 was not previously known in this Division : the 

 mouth and lips of the animal swell, causing 

 difficulty in eating, and in many cases the disease 

 proves fatal. With the exception of the above- 

 named cases, and an outbreak of lungs cknss-s 

 among Mr. Edward Boast's cattl-^, York, stock is 



healthy. ■ ^ , 



A. RiTTER, Magistrate. 



NQUTU, 31st VTay.— The past month has 

 been a typical winter month, and frosts have 

 biion of frequent occurrence throughout. Some 

 \ery heavy winds have been experienced during 

 the month, causing considerable damage to the 

 then standing crops by, in many case^ levelling 

 them to the ground. Lite mealie crops also 

 suffered from the frost. During the whole 

 month only two or three insignificant showers of 

 rain fell. The grazing is all parched and 

 withered up, and it is wonderful how cattle get 

 through the winter here as they do. Lung- 

 sickness seems to have got a firm hold on the 

 District, and several f-esh outbreaks have been 

 reported. florsesicknes=i has received a check 

 in the frosts which were experienced. The 

 general health of the District is good. 



C. HiGNETT, Magistrate. 



WEENEN, 1st June.— Autumn has given way 

 to winter once more, and happily the late and 

 heavy rains fattened the ripening crops now 

 reaping ; and left everywhere through this 

 district a thick growth of grass, f9r winter 

 grazing ; long enough, generally, to shield from 



/ 



