324 J. w. BEWS. 



nana, Zannichellia palustris, Ti'ig'looliin spp. are 

 found, with Salicornia, Acrostichuni aureiim, and 

 Phragmites communis near the edge. 



(16) SECONDARY ASSOCIATIONS. 



It may be well to add a few words concerning the influence 

 of man on the vegetation of Natal. The destructive influence 

 of the native I have already dealt Avith, and also the effects 

 of burning the grass, a practice followed not only by the 

 natives but also by the European farmer. 



Among what may be called the constructive effects the 

 following are the most important : 



1. Wattle Planting. — Lai'ge areas are now covered with 

 plantations of Wattle (Acacia moUissima). The places 

 selected are High Level Savannah, where the soil is an iron 

 soil, loose, well aerated and well drained, and where the rain- 

 fall is high and summer mists occur. This Acacia demands 

 a large amount of water and the drying up of vleis is a result 

 that is commonly noticed. 



2. Tea and Sugar Planting. — These plantations are found 

 on the coast belt, and have led to a complete change in its 

 appearance. Mvich of the bush has been cut down to make 

 way for them. 



3. Maize Growing. — Every native kraal has its mealie 

 patch, and some of the farmers undertake maize growing on 

 a large scale. The rich soil of the valleys after it has been 

 aerated by tillage is best suited for maize. 



4. The Introduction of Foreign Grasses. — Several of 

 these have been introduced. Of late years it has been found 

 that Paspalum dilatatum is very well suited to Natal, 

 remaining green and succulent during the dry season. It is 

 not improbable that in the course of a few years the veld 

 will be entirely changed, and the native grasses replaced 

 by others. 



PI. XXIII, fig. 2 represents various secondary associations. 



