THE GEORGE AND KNVSNA FORESTS. 75 



sowing in all places where weed growth was feared. Consider- 

 able areas of forest have been treated in this manner, and the 

 success attained so far is most encouraging. 



The Protection of Forest from Fire. 



Manifestly it would be absurd to practise a system of inten- 

 sive forestry within the forests if their very existence was at 

 stake by causes operating from without. 



The danger of injury by fire, brought about by the custom 

 of burning veld, makes it necessary to take precautions. While 

 the keur tree renders good service, yet at stages of its growth it 

 easily succumbs to fires ; it was therefore necessary to devise 

 other means. For many years it has been the practice to burn 

 belts round the forests, but it is a question whether this practice 

 is beneficial. At any rate, it does not give permanent protection, 

 for the operation must be repeated every few years. Another 

 method is to keep the perimeter free from inflammable material, 

 and cause the fringe trees to develop dense foliage; the cost, how- 

 ever, of such a method is very great. Many pessimistic views 

 were expressed to the effect that no adequate and economical 

 method was attainable. A study, however, of the indigenous 

 forest trees and the experiments made with exotic trees led to 

 the selection of two species, namely, the blackwood (Acacia 

 melanoxylon) and the blackwattle (Acacia decurrens), as trees 

 suitable for planting along the forest perimeters. Both species 

 have a strongly developed surface root system, thereby keeping 

 the surface soil free from weeds ; both are rapid growers and of 

 economic importance — the former for its timber, the latter for 

 its bark. The blackwood spreads rapidly from root suckers and 

 coppices freely ; both bear large quantities of seed. These two 

 species were selected for planting along the perimeters of the 

 forest, the modus operandi being as follows: From the forest 

 perimeter is removed all dead wood and weeds ; these are col- 

 lected and burned along the forest edge at a distance sufficient 

 to prevent injury ; the cleaned surface is either picked over, or 

 pitted, as circumstances dictate, and three or more rows of trees 

 planted or sown — the blackwood is sometimes planted pure, 

 sometimes mixed with black wattle. The young trees or seed- 

 lings are kept free from weed growth, and the following year 

 another belt is planted, generally wider. In this manner the 

 indigenous forests are protected, and at the same time the actual 

 area of forest is increased. The results obtained have been 

 most satisfactory. 



In the three districts, during the past three years, the follow- 

 ing perimeter planting has been done : — 



T'Zitzikama 34 miles, 4 to 20 yards wide. 



18 20 „ 100 „ „ y(^WM/ > 



IOO ,, 3OO „ „ /C 



«w* /O 



Total .... 60 



