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THE BOEE AGRICULTURAL.

DELEGATES.

WHAT THEY SAW IN THE

EMPIRE.

SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

WT

Th© Boer delegates who toured the
Empire after the- war have given their
experiences and conclusions. Oí tho
suggestions which they made, the fol-
lowing is the last instalment :

Stock Boards.

A stock board should be formed in
each district, consisting of represen-
tative farmers, and should meet at
least twice a year to discuss the various
matters concerning the welfare ol the dis-
tricts, such as stock laws. Government
regulations, etc. It is quite plain that
in every district throughout the Trans-
vaal stock boards would render great
service in promoting harmonious co-
operation between the Government,
through the Stock Inspectors,'and the
people, as represented by the boards,
lilis board could appoint several per-
sons as pest eradicators, who would
forward a declaration of the injurious
animals and birds destroyed by the
stock inspector, who, after proper veri-
fication, would pay the assigned bounty.

Stock Inspectors.

Four stock inspector's should be ap-
pointed fer the northern, southern,
eastern, and western districts of the
Transvaal, and they should visit every
holding in their respective districts at
least once a year.

The duties of a stock inspector are
many. He is appointed as the Govern-
ment representative to enforce all laws
and regulations regarding stock in his
district, and the following might be re-
garded as coming within his special
sphere : -

(1) A concise return to he rendered

by liim each year from every
holding in his districts ; print-
ed forms being supplied by the
Department for the purpose,
' and. sent out some time before

so as to enable the owners to
complete and return before a
fixed dato

(2) Every owner to register with

tho inspector his horse and
cattle brands, also his sheep
ear marks: one ear of each
sheep being set aside as the
property of Government, and
/ must bear thc registered, but.

no other mark of the owner.
Suppose the near ear for rams
and wethers, and the off ear
for «wes. The benefit of re-
gistered brands is obvious. It
prevents stealing, and provides
a good means of identification
, in case of dispute.

(8) No two .similar brands to be re-

gistered in the same district.
Tile inspector should have the
power to destroy any diseased
stock in his district that he may
think dangerous to the well-
being of tlie rest. Ainount_pf
compensation to be paid to
owners of cattle so destroyed
should be fixed under the Stock
Act.

fi) All farmers and dealers travel-

ling stock must obtain a per-
mit before being allowed to tra-
vel moro than a short dislance
(say 40 miles). AH herds of
more than a hundred cattle,
and flocks of three hundred
sheep or goats, to be considered
travelling stock. The advan-
tage of a system of permits is
V that it prevents stock that are

nob bona xfide travelling stock
from being moved indiscrimin

Iately about the country ant

grazing on a neighbouring tarni
lt also prevents diseased catth
from being moved.

(5) The stock- inspector vouki

collect all rente due to the

Government, which| include

the assessment rates fixed by
the «tock board. Any out-
break of disease must" be re-
ported to him at once, and ;hc
should proceed immediately
to the spot.

(6) No 6tock can b*e brought into

the district without being ex
ainiued and passed Uv the
stock inspector.

(7) He must inspect all farm

boundaries.

(8) All cattle belonging to natives

to come under the supervision
Lof the Stock Inspector, and to

be subject to the samo laws
sud regulations as other cat-
tle.

(9) Stock inspectors must, not be

interested as dealers in stock.
(10) Inspectors to have full power

to declare infected areas
where they fuud contagious di-

seases.

Such are a low of the more import-
ant laws asid regulation«, and are
merely given to illustrate the benefit
that would arise from a proper system
nf stock inspectorship.

Stud Farms.

After having witnessed the splen-
did incentive Government stud farhis
have been to the farmers of Canada,
Australia, and Nen- ZenlatirT in stimu-
lating them to raise live stock of every
description to a high and profitable
standard, Ave maintain that it is the
duty of "the Transvaal and Orange
River Colony Governments to start
similar stud farms throughout the col-
onies. 'Uley aie not expensive to
keep up, ano, except for the initial ex-
pense can he rendered largely RPIÍ
supporting if properly nianaged. We
would suggest that the Government
should start such farms at, say, four
centres; one in the north,\one .in the
south, one in tile east, and one in
the wost. After the buildings have
been erected pfi'd a proper supply of
winter forage laid by, pedigree stud
stork should be imported, and the
«rcs leased at a nominal «rate per sea-
son; or if it is thought unsafe, to al-
low valuable animals to run the risk
of not being properly cared for, then
the farmem should be allowed to bring
their stock to the stud farm. Small
paddocks might be kept for this pur-
pose ond special railway facilities
granted for stock coming long dis-
tances. Tlie stock brea at the Go-
vernment farm ought to be valued and
then balloted; thus ensuring an equal
distribution of pedigree animáis, as
would mot be the ease- if a few wealthy
men living in the district were allow-
ed to buy any animal they might fancy.

A Good Class of Farm Horse

is eminently desirable for the Trans-
vaal. '.Che work vre have seen done by
farm horses during our tour has aston-
ished us considerably ; tor instance,
three Jicrs?« draw with ease a doubJe
furrow plough and do three acre.s per
day. Here we may remark that veter-
inary officers should have the right to
refuse any mares they may not think
lit to breed from. We should suggest
that th© Government import for euch
stud farm, say, two purebred Ayrshire
bulls and two Shorthorn bull« and six
heifers in calf to pedigree sires with
a view to acclimatising tho young
stock from hirth. Such stock might
be procured in Australia, Now Zealand,
or Canada ; at present preferably Aus-
tralia, on account, of its climate being
more or less similar to that of_tho
Transvaal. It was nt the Sydney1. Show
that we saw the finest collection of
animals durang our whole tour, und

a great many stud breeders are an-
xious to open up a trade with South
Africa.. That

Stud Sheep

should be imported is also manifest.
After having seen the immense pastor-
al industry of Australia and New Zear
land we aro convinced that the Traqis
vaal is entirely out-classed in the
matter of sheep. Merinos are by far
the most common in Australia. In
the dry interior of Australia vast
flocks are pastured, and they have
proved unquestionably hardier animals
than the cross-breds, besides their
wool is finer. Good flock rams bred
from stud stock are procurable at from
three to fivé.guineás. These cut about
151b. of wool each ; valued at 8d. per
lb. On one station that we visited
the owner kept 30,000 sheep, the whole
clip averaging 8ilb. wool per
sheep ; lambs at 4$lb. The value pf
wool per sheep was about five shil-
lings. The Government should cer-
tainly import some ewes and rams
from. Australia of

Hie Merino Breed,

and lease stud sires to serve a few sel-
ected sheep. From New Zealand cross-
bred sheep should be imported, in-
cluding Southdowns, Shropshires, Bor-
der Leicesters and English Leicesters,
Lincoln* and Romney Marsh-all of
which are much larger than the Mer-
ino and very much coarser in the wool.
Hie average carcass of these full
grown sheep weighs 801b.; and ot'
lambs-six mouths old-from 56 to CO

lbs. An ever increasing export trade
is being developed in this line in New
Zealand. The price of mutton in
New Zealand is from 4Jd, to 5£d- per
lb. retail ; wholesale, of course, being
much cheaper. The principal trade is
with lambsj which are quickly fatten-
ed on turnips, «lover, and rape, and
sold to the meat experting companies
at prices ranging from 12 to 15 shil-
lings each. Naturally, New Zealand is
a wonderfully endowed country, as re-
garding the raising of sheep, more es-
pecially of this description. The cli-
mate and rainfall âre good and the
pasture excellent. To compare it with
.the Transvaal is plainly impossible;
but at the same time we think these
sheep could also be profitably bred

here.

Importation of Stock.

A question one hears all over the
country is: "'Do the Government in-
tend going in for the importation of
stock?" Tlie majority of farmers can-
not afford to db KO on their own ac-
count, but at the same time are desir-

ous of securing good stock at a mod-
erate price. Besides, many private
speculators seem anxious to import,
but first of all want a,n assurance of
help from the Government. Young
! heifers of good milking strains can be
j procured in New Zealand and Austra
! lia and sold in the Transvaal a,ud the
! Orange River Colony at frorfi £10 to
J £12 per head. To prevent the intro

I tduchon of disease the Government
j must, of course, exercise strict super-

vision over all imported stock.

Fencing. ^

We consider that the fencing in of
every farm must be made compulsory.
This""prevents trespass, since if a stan-
dard fence is fixed it enables prosecu-
tion by tho inspector of the district.
Tho «avantages of sub-dividing hold-
ings by fencing- into small puddocks

are many:

(a) Fencing enables farmers to keep
small paddocks in reservo-for feeding.

(b) Fencing prevents stock from
wandering, consequently loss grass is
trampled <low,u.

(c) Fencing ««ables farmers to sen- ¡
arate the different breeds of stock, ¡
and allows a proper and scientific |
system of breeding to bo carried on. ¡
. (Tl) Fencing dispenses with boys to
look after the cattle, sheep, or goats.

(e) Fqncing gives farmers the oppor-
tunity of experimenting with different
kinds of grasses, because when stock
are kept off the land the grass is able
to get a good hold before being eaten
off. In the event of the fejicing of
farm boundaries being made compul-
sory the Government should assist the
farmers by reduction freight rates;
and by paying half or one-third the
cost which would be considered as a
loa.n and repayable within a fixed peri-
od-say ten years. The initial out-
lay would not be excessively great, as

most farms are surrounded on all sides
by neighbours on whom naturally some
of the expense would fall. Compul-
sory fencing is the only means of suc
csssfully coping with the deadly di-
seases so prevalent in this country;
and (coupled with strict stock supervi-
sion) it has done a great deal of good

in Australia.

Experimental Farms.

It is the bounden duty of th« Go-
vernment to start at once and liberal-
ly support experimental farms in suit-
able districts of the Transvaal and the
Orange River Colony. The farmers
must- be educated and encouraged by
practical experiments, the cost of
which are beyond the reach of ajiy
single person. And the farmers should
not forget that such farms are estab-
lished entirely for thew- benefit, and
they should avail themselves fully of
the knowledge gained by experiments
in their own and other lands. In the
sister colonies stock farms are gener-
ally carried on in connection with the
experimental farms-a most practical
plan, since it allows the animals to be
used as much as possible i/i the daily
working of the farm ; besides enabling
experiments to be conducted relative

to

The Value of the Several Grains

and fodder plants, etc., in feeding and
fattening. The farmer cayu go to the
experimental farm of his own particu-
lar State or province at any time and
learn the proper culture of wheat,
maize, tobacco, etc., the most suitable
forage plants and th© best drought
resisting grasses, the hardiest cattle,
the finest sheep, the best export ba-
con, and the most adaptable fruits ; in
fact anything connected with Agricul-
ture or Horticulture that he may wish

to know-and all for the trouble of
asking. As already mentioned, care-
fully compiled bulletins, leaflets, and
reports are printed in attractive covers
and circulated in thousands-free of
charge-and are eagerly read by the
farmer toiling close to the crowded
centre, as well as by the stockman
who welcomes the weekly mail on the
distant lonely ranch.

Agricultural Exhibitions.

In all the British colonies agricul-
tural exhibitions are held periodically
throughout the various provinces, with
perhaps one big annual show at the
capital, or in some populous centre.
In most cases these shows aie financed
by public and private subscriptions,
and are supported by the Government
to the amount of half the total sum
of money" subscribed. That is. if £30i)
were raised privately, then the Gov-
ernment would guarantee £150 more,
making a total of .£450. This am-
ount, or a portion thereof, is appor-
tioned in prizes by a committee form-
ed for the purpose. Judges, as a rule,
are asked to come from other pro-
vinces, and caro is taken to secure
competent as well ns disinterested
men. These shows promote competi-
tion, and serve to illustrate what can
be done by modern methods oi farm-
ing. They bring about

An Interchange of Ideas

and tend to the distribution of good
stock, for, as a rule, the farmer will
sell a fair portion of his exhibits; be-
sides they give both breeders and grow

erg a good advertisement and stimulate
enterprise, since the unsuccessful man
will see what can be done, and po .away
determined to be on the" prize list next
year. That his part of the world is
not the only one which can produce
filie stock is-Br-potent incentive to a
still greater exertion on the part of
many a fanner, and encourages a heal-
thy and generous rivalry. At the an-
nual show farmers from all parts of tho
country compete, thug bringing toge-
ther members of the rural connu unity
who probably would never meet other-
wise. This broadening of ideas and tho
breaking up of an unprofitable conser-
vatism is of immeasurable value in the
rapid up-building of great progressive
States. »For after au the old adage
"Seeing is believing" is still true. We
earnestly hope that the townsfolk and
the rural population will unite to make
agricutural shows a recognised feature
in the development of our South Afri-

can Colonies.

Agricultural Societies.

After having observed the benefits
arising from such organisations we hold
that Agricultural Societies should be
formed in each district, and that a "cer-
tain number of representatives should
meet twice or thrice a year at the Go
vernmeut experimental farms to discuss
the various matters pertaining to their
districts; further, that one or iwo
members from each district should bo
annually appointed to confer with the
Director of Agriculture at his office in
Pretoria. For the general welfare of
the country the head of this Depart-
ment should be brought into intimate
contact with, and secure the sympathy
and goodwill of, the rural population.
Owing to his manv duties, the Director
of Agriculture will probably finid but
little time to visit the various districts,
therefore tho needs of the dis-
tricts must be ..brought to
him through representatives. This
Board should be entirely unofficial, and
merely called for the purpose of bring-
ing the Head of the Department and
the farming community together. The
advantage of two or three days' discus-
sion with practical men from th© differ-
ent districts of the country must be ob-
vious, and we feel sure that this scheme
will receive the hearty support of thc
Department of Agriculture, which, in
turn, must be backed by tho people in
order to briiu? about the desired re-
forms in agricultural methods. Co-
operation is one of the chief factors in
the success of any enterprise, ami this
fact must not be lost sight of cither by
the farmers or the officials of the De-
partment.

Railway Rates and Import Dut ios.

If the agricultural and stock raising in-
dustries of the Transvaal are to bo suc-
cessful, then the men on the land
should receive liberal support from tho
Government in the matter of railway
faros and import duties. Consider the
farming community as a whole. Th©
majority are practically ruined me»,
who since the Declaration of Peace hav«
had hardships that, must carry their
thoughts back to the early days of the
.'Voortrekkers." That they are anxious
to begin and build up their homes again
eau be seen by anyone visiting the re-
moter districts of the Transvaal, where
many families are living in almost ab-
ject misery, but are still striving to do
their best: Now. we think it only fair
that such men should be met half way
by the Government, for whom they ave
creating a source of future revenue. Wo
would therefore suggest that «ll farm
implements, agricultural machinery,
windmills, pumps, etc., be admitted

Free of Duty,

and, moreover, that a special railway
rate be placed on all such gooda mi

ported. That in the event of private
parties engaging to import ßtock the
Government make arrangements with
the ¿arbour authorities in order that
tba cattló are landed without delay;
trucks being icady for the immediate
transmission of the stock to their
destination. Further, we would advise :
(a.) That reduced railroad rates be
allowed on «ll imported stock,
as woll as on stock conveyed
from, any point within the two
colonies, i
(b.) That free passes lie provided
for bona fide farmers attend'ng
agricultural meetings and go-
ing to and from the Govern-
ment Experimental Farms.
Tn South Africa we have
A Vast Couutry Awaiting Develop
" mont,
rich beyond the dreams of avarice, sun-
lit and fertile. The market is here,
the soil is here; tho only thing needed
is energy-patient and persistent . True,
we have had many difficulties to con-
tend ivitli, and at first it seemed hard
to start anew after the ruin and desola
ion of ho war, while our land was swept
with disease ; but in time all these will
pass away, and why should we despair?
The other colonies have been visited j
by droughts and. famine, frosts and
hailstorms, locusts and devastating
murrains; but they have been, in largo
measure, conquered or controlled' by
the people, encouraged by a wise.'far-
seeing Government. For our own part,
we seo no reason why the farmers of
the Transvaal and the Orange River
Colony should not take a prominent
place amongst the stock breeders and
the fruit growers of the British Em-
pire. And we look forward with con-
fidence to the day when these two
colonies will not only produce sufficient
to support tho whole of South Africa,
but also take a proud position in the
markets' cf tba world, which should lie
the aim and the ideal of every fanner.
To tho Stranger
who oomes to our land full of the latest
farming methods we would offer a word
of counsel : Do not neglect to learn
from the mea of the veldt, who have a
special knowledge of the climate, the
diseases, and the soils of this country.
And, in like manner, the native born
should not forget that he; too, haB
something to learn about modern agri-
culture. It is the progressive man
'tho man with the open mind-ever
ready to learn a new fact, to under-
stand the mechanism of a new machine,
and to introduce a new plant, who is
destined to succeed. And we would be
wanting in our duty were we not te
urge in the strongest terms that our
counrymen should nofc fall into the com-
mon error of saying : "Oh ! the 'olden
times were good enough-for us." For
in the strenuous life of to-day those
who are content to live fin the thought
and amosphere of half, a century ago
shall surely fail. For
The Futuro Benefit of the Farming
Population,
we would ask the Government to offer
bounties for the encouragement of but-
ter factories, cheese factories, creamer-
ies, and similar industries ; and to offer
prizes for thc pkíhtíng of trees and the
best kept farms. Further, as already
remarked, the importation of sound, j
stud stock should be encouraged by 1
rigorous veterinary supervision, togeth-
er with cheap and rapid transportation.
But although the Government can do
' much to stimulate the initial stages of
any indusry, its ultimate success rests
mainly with the people themselves. To
this end iver earnestly appeal to the men
of wealth and influence. If our monied
mon would only invest some of their
surplus) riches in dairying, canning ;.
sugar, beet, and tobacco factories, cot-
ton gins, oto., in fact, in anything
connected with modern farming, we are
certain they would be able, not merely
to place these industries upon a flour-
ishing basis, but, in addition, obtain a
good return for their outlay. And be-
yond tile question of material pros-
perity there is always that of patriot-
ism.
In Conclusion :
Take a pride in your farm.
Adopt tue Latest methods.
Pay attention to the results gained on
experimental farms,
Keep the finest stock.
Preserve "fodder against the seasons
of drought.
Save and select your own seed.
Never cease to cultivate your lands.
Purchase labour-saving machines.
Bead agricultural books.
Be progressive.
Maintain an open mind.
Live to learn.
We sincerely trust that this account
of our tour will be of some interest and
benefit^ to our fellow-farmers; for w<
left our homos aud travelled thousand":
of miles by land and sea solely to lean
something that might perhaps help tin
farmers of the Transvaal and tin
Orange Uiver Colony to become uior<
prosperous, happy, and contented.
In the hope that we have not alto
fether failed, wo lire, etc., W. L
ooste, J. M. Lane, H. T. Hood.
$