AN (ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MIDLANDS OP NATAL. 509 



Aristida junciformis lias almost entirely replaced the 

 other grasses of Anthistiria and Andropogon species. 

 The change can be seen in progress, and there are all stages 

 between natural veld, with Anthistiria etc. dominant, and 

 changed veld with Aristida dominant. 



Early burning of the grass is the chief cause of the change. 

 If the grass is burned before it is completely withered the 

 Anthistiria is more affected than the coarse wiry 

 Aristida. The reason why farmers do burn early is to get 

 young shoots next year as soon as possible. 



If the grass is burned, as it often is, before the end of the 

 rainy season, a new growth may be obtained even before the 

 winter (dry season) sets in, and the young shoots suifer more 

 than the older ones from the winter frosts and drought. 

 In this connection also Aristida is stronger than 

 Anthistiria. 



The soil, however, as was pointed out, is more affected 

 when the grass is burned late. 



The eifects of early burning are best seen along the rail- 

 way. Here the grass is always burned as early as possible, 

 lest sparks f I'om the engine should ignite it later when all the 

 veld grass is withered, and cause disastrous grass fires which, 

 not being controlled, might destroy the wattle plantations. 

 Aristida junciformis nearly always lines the railway on 

 either side except in the moister spots, where tambootie 

 association holds the field. 



The same Aristida association also lines the numerous 

 Kafir paths across the veld, where the Anthistiria has 

 been killed by being trodden under foot. 



This change from natural veld to Aristida association is 

 progressive. Farmers everywhere speak of the consequent 

 deterioration in the veld, for Aristida is a worthless grass 

 when compared with Anthistiria. To counteract this 

 deterioration Paspalum dilatatum (doubtfully native of 

 Natal) is being introduced. It is an excellent grass from the 

 farmers^ standpoint, and can hold its own against the natural 

 veld grasses. It also remains more gi'een and succulent 



VOL. 2, PART 4. 34 



