374 



Agriculture in South Africa. 



Pig-keeping is reported to be gradually reaching the point 

 where the local demand for fresh pork can be supplied by the 

 home breeders. 



Efforts are being made to build up the dairy industry. 

 The number of Government creameries in operation in 1900 

 was 19, and the output of butter from these establishments 

 amounted to 637,052 lbs. 



Agriculture in South Africa. 



The last enumeration of live stock in Cape Colony relates 

 to the year ending 31st May, 1899, and later statistics are not 

 available on account of the war. The following results are 

 recorded in the " Statistical Register of the Cape of Good 

 Hope for the year 1900" : Horses numbered 388,000, mules, 

 48,000, and asses, 42,000. There were 1,077,000 cattle (of 

 which upw T ards of 667,000 were cows or heifers), 5,573,000 

 goats, 12,640,000 sheep, and 246,000 pigs. The pro- 

 duction of butter was 2,879,000 lbs. The Angora goats 

 yielded 6,707,000 lbs. of mohair, and the sheep 35,180,000 lbs. 

 of wool. Ostrich feathers weighing 278,000 lbs. were obtained 

 from 262,000 birds. 



According to a recent statement made by the Under 

 Secretary for Agriculture, " the portion of the Cape Colony 

 which lies to the north of the Orange River is the best 

 adapted for cattle rearing. The dairy industry has been 

 greatly checked by rinderpest, but the number of co-operative 

 creameries is rapidly increasing. It is believed that there 

 is a great future for the South African horse, which, compared 

 with the English horse, can live on much less food, and does 

 not suffer from the climate ; he is sounder and more sensible, 

 and does not tumble into holes. He is also taught more 

 easily to stand alone without being tied up." 



The sheep industry has to contend against two serious evils, 

 viz. : scab and the blood sucking tick. In the districts of 

 King William's Town, Bedford, and Somerset East there are 

 from 5,000 to 10,000 sheep on the holdings, or from 30 to 120 

 sheep per square mile. The " grass " districts, further to 

 the east and north, carry from 150 to 350 sheep per square 



