(compressed), 1 oz.,
{ or
{ Potatoes, 1/2 lb.

Cheese, bacon, and jams were frequently issued as an extra, in addition
to the above.

REQUISITIONING.

The above quantities of articles, large as they appear, would not have
sufficed to supply our wants for the long siege. The military
authorities therefore very wisely determined at a very early date to
make use of the Requisition. This power of seizing at a certain price
from their owners all articles required by the troops has to be used
very carefully and tactfully, as otherwise the people hide or bury their
goods. A civilian, commanding the confidence of the people, was
appointed by the local authorities to fix the prices in co-operation
with a military officer, who represented the interests of her Majesty's
Government. In this way a large quantity of food, &c., was obtained at a
fair price. These quantities were:--

Cattle, 1,511.
Goats and sheep, 1,092.
Mealies or maize, 1,517,996 lbs.
Kaffir corn, or a kind of millet, 68,370 lbs.
Boer meal, or coarse wheat-meal, 108,739 lbs.

All spirits and wines were taken and a fair price paid.

In December, when the cases of enteric fever and dysentery began to be
very numerous, it was determined to take possession of the milch cows,
and to see that the milk was used for the sick alone. So under the
supervision and control of Colonel Stoneman and Captain Thompson, a
dairy farm was started, and the milk was issued to civilians and
soldiers alike on medical certificate. Owing to the scarcity of milk,
and to the great necessity for it in cases of enteric and dysentery,
the dairy farm is still going (March 23, 1900), the owners of the cows
being paid 1s. per quart; a careful account being kept of the milk
produced.

In connection with the requisitioning of cows by Colonel Stoneman, a
quaint incident is recorded. A gentleman of Ladysmith of a stubborn
temperament on receiving the requisition wrote to Colonel Stoneman in
the following terms: "SIR,--Neither you nor any one else shall take my
cow. If you want milk for your sick apply to Joubert for it. Get out
with you, and get your milk from the Dutch." The cow was promptly taken.

POULTRY AND EGGS.

These soon became very scarce, and the price demanded for eggs was
enormous. The highest price reached was L2 10s. for twelve eggs, but
they were often sold at sums from 30s. to 44s. per dozen. As eggs were
so important a food in the dietary of the sick,