196 British Produce for South Africa. 



obtained very good prices, owing to the demand for young 

 animals to restock the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. 



Instructions have been given to the correspondents of the 

 Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade to watch for, and 

 report upon, openings for the introduction of breeding stock of 

 all kinds. They have been also asked to notify at once any 

 regulations or restrictions upon the importation of live stock 

 and other agricultural produce into the different Colonies. The 

 importance of speedy information upon the latter point has been 

 specially pointed out to them, as such regulations vary in each 

 Colon} r , and during the prevalence of disease are frequently 

 modified. 



The suggestion of the Board of Agriculture that the Land 

 Departments of the new Colonies should be furnished with lists 

 •of names and addresses of breeders registered in the Herd and 

 Flock Books of the principal Live Stock Societies in the United 

 Kingdom was warmly welcomed. 



Seed Potatoes. 



The bulk of the seed potatoes imported into these Colonies 

 are of Continental growth, although they are generally shipped 

 through London. Mr. Birchenough was informed by several 

 importers that the best variety of all, and the one which has, so 

 far, given the most satisfactory result, is the French Early Rose, 

 which comes from Bordeaux. The German Blue is an excellent 

 potato, grows well, and yields a good crop. Its chief fault is that 

 its lasting property is much less than that of most hard-skinned 

 potatoes. Other favourite varieties which are imported both 

 from the Continent and Great Britain are the Magnum Bonum 

 which is said to be a good keeping potato — the demand for it, 

 however, is declining because it is rather a late crop ; the King 

 of the Earlies, which is grown very largely in up-country dis- 

 tricts, and has the great merit of keeping right through the 

 winter without any special care ; and the Up-to-Date, which is 

 becoming popular, as it suits the soil and has fairly good 

 keeping qualities. This list has no pretensions to be exhaustive, 

 and is only given as an indication of a few well-known sorts 

 which have proved successful.. 



