The Great Drought Problem of South Africa. 125 



etc. A big controlling' factor is the anioant of vegetable covering by 

 which the soil is protected. When left to herself Nature arranges a 

 state of balance between the various factors. When Man arrives and 

 upsets the balance by destruction of the vegetation, trouble results. 

 And in the latter respect the small stock farmer by his wasteful system 

 of veld management is an outstanding cause of erosion, for his present 

 system of grazing is detrimental to stock, vegetation, and veld. 



Happily, the interdependence of the factors that lead to the 

 present position, enables the employment of one remedy, viz., im- 

 proved methods of veld management, by which the evil effects of all 

 can simultaneously be remedied. This is as necessary for the welfare 

 of future generations of the Union, as for the saving of the Hocks and 

 herds now grazing on our veld. 



The Commission finds: — 



1. That soil erosion is extending rapidly over many parts of the 

 Union. 



2. That, besides slooting, there is a great deal of surface erosion, 

 both by water and wind, taking place. 



3. That the soil of the Union, our most valuable asset, irrepiace- 

 ably and definitely limited in amount, is being removed in enormous 

 quantities annually. 



4. That the greater part of this soil and valuable plant food is 

 lost for ever, and while the remainder of the eroded material may do 

 good in some instances, it does much harm in others. 



5. That one great damage done by the eroded material is in silt- 

 ing up of reservoirs, and that soil erosion causes a greater irregularity 

 in the flow of our rivers, thereby increasing the cost of irrigation 

 works and the cost of producing feeding stuffs. 



6. That soil erosion is causing a marked decrease in the under- 

 ground water supply of the Union, and thereby increases the difficulty 

 of watering stock. 



7. Soil erosion is caused by reduction of the vegetal cover. 



8. That soil erosion has a cumulative character which, by virtue 

 of the similarity between its cause and effect, always accelerates its 

 rate of growth, in all except a few favoured portions of the Union. 



9. That prompt action is therefore imperative. 



10. That soil erosion is caused, mainly, by deterioration of the 

 vegetal cover, brought about by incorrect veld management, and that 

 all efforts to improve the latter will have a beneficial result on the 

 former. 



Improvement of Farming Methods and Conditions. 



While the present system of small stock farming is leading to 

 such serious damage, evidence shows that by the adoption of the 

 principle of free ranging an increase of 75 per cent, was carried on a 

 certain farm without damage to the veld, and which, on the contrary, 

 actually improved. Other farmers have had similar experience, let 

 the present system is continued because of : The presence of the 

 jackal, which necessitates kraaling; the scarcity of natural water 

 supply for the drinking places which must be provided m every camp 



