358 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



red in colour and sandy. Antheaps are conspicuous, pointing to good 

 drainage and good aeration. The natural herbage consists of " rooi- 

 zuur gras " (red sour grass) and " blauwsaad gras " (blue seed grass), 

 and its distribution indicated uniformity in soil conditions. Soil of 

 this type has the repr.tation of keeping moist during dry weather, a 

 property doubtless due it its physical composition being such that 

 allows of the ready movement of water in any direction. Xo matter 

 what crops are grown on this type of soil the yields are poor, even 

 when the soil is virgin. Seeing that the rainfall is good and that 

 other factors are favourable, one cannot resist the conclusion that the 

 poor yields are to be associated with an inadequacy of the food supply. 

 Sample No. G12 was taken from this area and represents virgin soil. 



Further from the road, nearer Kalkfontein and not far from the 

 Brandziek Kraal Spruit, there is a blackish soil at the foot of a low 

 dolerite-capped ridge of Molteno beds. It has the reputation of being 

 a good soil and well suited to wheat culture ; the farmer would call it 

 a mixed sand and turf soil. The indigenous vegetation consists of 

 " blauw saad " and " rooi plat blaar " (red flat leaf) grasses, a little 

 Cape clover, and a few sour Karroo bosjes. It is representative of a 

 soil derived from both Molteno beds and dolerite. Sample No. 614 

 was taken here, and may be considered representative of the virgin 

 soil. 



(Further instalments Avill be published in subsequent issues of the 

 Jo}(rna1.) 



Afforestation. 



Thq great need for afforestation in South Africa is preached on 

 all sides, both from an economic and a climatic point of view, and 

 because a greater number of schemes for extensive tree planting are 

 not being commenced throughout the country, many ascribe it to lack 

 of enterprise on the part of the State. Like irrigation, the planning 

 of an afforestation scheme calls for the consideration of many points of 

 scientific importance and requires properly trained men to satisfactorily 

 carry it out. The position in the Union to-day is that the Govern- 

 ment is prepared to find the money for the purpose of putting into 

 operation many more afforestation projects, but the additional trained 

 staff, so essential to work of this nature, is not available. The Forest 

 Department is working at its utmost capacity to cope with tlie many 

 projects already in progress, and has a number of selected students 

 in training abroad who should be available in the next few years to 

 auo'ment its personnel, when afforestation seliemes to ;i wider extent 

 than is now practicable can be dealt with. 



While much has already been done for the country, as evidenced 

 by the amount of local timber placed on the market during the war 

 and subsequently to meet the shortage of oversea supplies, the Forest 

 Department cannot do everything and the individual must also play 

 his part. If every farmer sought the advice of the Forest Depart- 

 ment and the facilities it is eager to dispense, and earnestly 

 endeavoured to grow even a few trees, not only would he be the means 

 of adding to the wealth of his country but he would also ensure to 

 himself an additional income and at the same time beautify his farm. 

 We reap to-day the benefit conferred on us by our pioneer tree- 

 planters; let us continue the good work, each in his own way realizing 

 that however smnll the beginning, [t is a step in the right direction.- 



