744 Agriculture in South Africa. [dec, 



drought in May, and only a small proportion survived. The 

 crop on plots (c) and (d) grew somewhat more slowly than 

 that on plot (a), but a thoroughly good stand was secured. 

 The tillering was greatest on plot (d), where the plants were 

 thinned-out and earthed-up, an average of 12 stalks per plant 

 with 10 full ears being obtained, while plot (c), which was 

 earthed-up, gave 10 stalks per plant with 9 full ears. 



The results as regards yield are included in the table above. 

 As has been stated, plot (b) was a failure, and Herr Kruger 

 in reporting on the experiments observes that in his opinion 

 the transplantation of spring-sown cereals would only be 

 successful in exceptional cases in Germany, where the weather 

 in May and June is usually dry. 



Owing to the distance of the plants apart on plot (d) the 

 yield, though excellent individually, was only equal for the 

 whole area to that obtained on plot (a) by ordinary cultiva- 

 tion. On plot (c), however, where the rows were earthed-up, 

 a high yield was obtained, which exceeded the yield on plot 

 (a) by 14 bushels of grain and nearly 8 cwt. of straw, a return 

 which would amply justify the extra labour involved. 



A report has recently been issued by the Colonial Office 

 [Colonial Reports, Misc., No. 61. Cd. 4909. Price 2d.] on 

 Agriculture and Viticulture in South 



A / ri ^ lt A u 5 e in Africa. This report was prepared by 

 South Africa. , ■ /. \ i , 



Lord Blyth, and is based on observa- 

 tions made during a visit to South Africa in the early part 

 of this year. 



Lord Blyth refers to the rapid development which has 

 characterised agriculture in South Africa in the seven years 

 since peace was proclaimed, a development attributable in a 

 large measure to the financial support of the Government, 

 and also to some extent to the generosity of private indi- 

 viduals. This support has taken the form, not only of direct 

 encouragement and assistance to individual industries, but 

 also largely of spread 1 ' ng education and scientific knowledge. 



Colleges and Experimental Stations. — The agricultural 

 colleges and experimental stations of South Africa are features 

 of great importance. Not only in or adjacent to the four 

 capitals, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and Pieter- 



