291 



Noxious Weeds. 



IN response to a reqviest from the Hon. 

 Minister of Agriculture, suggested by 

 the Hon. R. Jameson, M.L.C., Mr. J. 

 Medley Wood, Curator Botanic Giirdens, 

 Durban, has arranged to have a certain 

 number of drawings of noxious plants, 

 and descriptions thereof, printed for the 



purpose of distributing among Magis- 

 trates and Road Overseers. It is hoped 

 that this action may lead to a better 

 knowledge of the noxious weeds of the 

 Colony — more especially of the " burr " 

 class —and, as a result, to their extermin- 

 ation. 



The Year's Rainfallm 



ACU.iSORY glance at the meteoro- 

 logical tables will show that althoii^'h 

 the iviintall for the last year en lin^i' June 

 30tl] is heivier than that for the pre- 

 ceding year', yet it has been far from 

 exceptionally heavy. In two instances 

 only is 50 inches reached. Up-conntry 

 stations show returns some 20 inches 

 lowei'. Happily the most of the rain fell 

 opportunely for the crops generally. Mr. 

 A. Wilkins)n, Ottawa, writes that his 

 a\erag.' to;- twelve j'ears has been lO-iy 

 inche,-i, anil consequently the concluding 



year shows 1 GO inches above that average 

 He adds : — " With an annual average of 

 40 inches sugar will pay in Natal. P'or 

 Cuba the average is 50 inches, an I for 

 Mauritius 70 inches " Mr Charles Green, 

 Gourton, Ixopo, where the year's rainfall 

 amounts to only 13"40 inches, writes, 

 " the spruits have ceased running, and no 

 crops will be reaped in the Unihlanvena 

 Valley." Several correspondents ret'ei- to 

 the slight earthquake which occurred on 

 the 10th June. 



irrigatiottm 



nOLONEL CORBETT, the Irrigation 

 \J Expert, will complete his term of two 

 years' service with the Natal Government 

 about the middle of November. Any- 

 one wishing to consult him should there- 



fore apply without delay. No fee is 

 charged for this officer's services. Appli- 

 cation should be made direct to Colonel 

 Corbett, Department of Agriculture, 

 Pietermaritzburg. 



District Reports. 



IXOPO, 15th July.— During the past fort- 

 night the weather has been dry, dusty and 

 windy. The annual show was held here on the 

 3rd ius.tai]t. The entries were not as numerous 

 as usual, owing, probably, to the excessive dry 

 weather. There has been a severe epidemic of 

 influenza, and, I regret to state, other afflictions, 

 with fat.al results. Natives seem to possess 

 plenty of money, and prefer going to " beer- 

 drinkin^s " instead of turning out to work. 



Frank E, Foion, Magistrate. 



NEW HANOVER, 15th July.— The District 

 is not quite clear of lungsickness yet, Mr. Boast's 

 farm still being under quarantine. There is 

 nothing else woith relating. 



A. RiTTER, Magistrate. 



NKANDHLA, 30th June.— Little rain has 

 fallen during the month, but the weather has 

 been very cold. I am pleased to say ihe harvest 

 appears to be a fairly good one. Mealies are 

 being purchased freely by the local storekeepers 



