1906.] 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



compared with about 20,000,000 barrels a year ago, while in the 

 New England States the crop is substantially less than half that 

 of last year. In the far western States only does the crop 

 approach the normal yield, and among these States California 

 is credited with a yield about 10 per cent, better than last year, 

 though somewhat under the previous two years. The reasons 

 given for the great shortage are that although there was great 

 promise of a good crop in so far as bloom was concerned, 

 heavy and continuous rains prevented fertilisation, and continued 

 low temperatures destroyed the vitality of young fruit buds. 



Agriculture in Rhodesia. — Owing to its fertile soil, regular 

 wet season, ample rainfall, genial climate and cheap land 

 Rhodesia offers prospects for successful farming operations 

 which compare favourably with many British Colonies. 



Mealies — maize or Indian corn — are the staple cereal product 

 of Rhodesia at present, and by careful cultivation can be made 

 to produce as heavy a yield per acre as in any part of the world* 

 Wheat is found to grow well and yield abundantly in many 

 parts of the country, and its cultivation is being extended. 

 Root crops of all kinds do remarkably well, and yield heavily, 

 especially potatoes, for which there is always a fair local demand 

 at good prices. Tobacco grows well, the cultivation of cotton 

 is receiving attention, and gives every promise of proving to 

 be a paying crop. 



Small stock, particularly native sheep and goats, Cape Boer 

 goats, Persian sheep, and the Cape fat-tailed sheep thrive 

 remarkably well all over Rhodesia, and the increase is rapid. 

 On some of the mountain ranges on the Eastern Section merino 

 woolled sheep do well, and as the country becomes more heavily 

 stocked and the ranker grasses are fed off, the area on which 

 the merino can bs grazed will be considerably extended. 

 Cattle thrive well everywhere and remain sleek through the dry 

 season on the natural grazing of the veldt, and require nc 

 artificial feeding whatever. 



Rhodesia is said to offer good prospects to men of energy 

 and enterprise equipped with some knowledge of agriculture 

 and a capital of from £500 to £1,000. The average size of 

 farms in Mashonaland is approximately 3,000 acres. The 

 terms on which land can be acquired can be ascertained on 



