45 



(d) Assistant in Plant Breeding*— having a special knowledge 

 of plant physiology combined with a knowledge of agricul- 

 tural botany. 



(e) A Superintendent and foremen for the Dry-land Stations 

 which may from time to time be established. 



II. That five Dry-farmsf— Dry-land Experiment Stations— be 



established for the study of problems relating to tillage, the 

 conservation of moisture and the cultivation of drought- 

 resistant plants. Preference should be given to the driest 

 regions of the Transvaal. In the beginning, these stations 

 should be dry-farms in the strict sense of the word — not stock 

 farms — in order that they may not be unduly expensive. 



III. That extension work be begun amongst the farmers to arouse 

 their interest and to help them in this matter. This can best 

 be done by dry-land publications, lectures, and practical 

 demonstrations on Government Dry-farms. 



IV. That a Dry-farming Congress J be called together once a year 

 to discuss this subject. 



V. That the Government purchase or acquire a steam or gasoline 



direct traction engine for the use of the Division of Dry- 

 farming. It is essential that farmers and prospective settlers, 

 and agricultural societies, be supplied with reliable data 

 regarding the cost per acre of producing crops on dry-land 

 by means of power engines. No reliable statistics exist 

 relative to this matter. Such an engine might be employed 

 in ploughing up Government land. 



VI. That a Dry-land Station be attached to every community of 

 settlers which may hereafter be established on the dry-lands 

 of the Transvaal, and that the foreman of this Station be 

 instructed to give advice and assistance to the settlers. 



I submit these recommendations to the earnest consideration of the 

 Government and the people of the Transvaal in the confident belief that 

 the money necessary for the carrying out of this work will be amply repaid 

 by increased harvests and the general agricultural prosperity of our 

 Colony. 



* To avoid duplication of effort, the Division of Botany would doubtless co-operate in 

 supplying this official. 



f This cannot be called a large number when it is remembered that a mining state, such 

 as Montana, with a population of 300,000, has already established eleven dry-land stations. 



X I would suggest that this Congress be called together by the Et. Hon. the Minister of 

 Agriculture, and that invitations be extended to all the Colonies of South Africa, the Dominions 

 of the Empire, and the United States. 



