668 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Olivier's Rust: Mk. J. H. Olivier. 



The remaining two samples of the series, i.e. No. 608 and 

 No. 609, were taken from the hind called Bo'Land, which is situated 

 only a short distance from Dankfontein's Nek. The close proximity 

 of the large mass of lava overlying exposed cave sandstone is worthy 

 of note. There is also what appears to be a dolerite dyke to the south, 

 while the soils themselves lie above Red Beds. 



From the hills the land slopes down to the stream at the bottom 

 of the valley where the soil is very black ; nearer the hills it is lightei- 

 in colour and, moreover, is not uniform in tint, some areas being much 

 lig-hter than others. 



No. 608 is a composite sample of the soil nearer the hills; No. 609 

 a composite sample of the black soil. No. 608 is underlain by a 



Plate VII. The Homestead " Olivier's Rust." 



The hills iu the background are of cave .sandstone, covered with volcanic rock, 

 which is weathering readily. The macrocarpa cypress trees on the right are 25 years 

 old, about 25 feet high, and their trunks from 10 inches to 15 inches in diameter. 



reddish sandy sub-soil, below Avhich is " potciay." No. 608 would 

 seem to be regarded as a mixed sand and turf soil : it is suitable for 

 potatoes and wheat 



The natural vegetation consists of zuur rooigras for the most 

 part, together with some rooi platblaar grass. 



No. 609 is reckoned amongst the black turf soils; it is clayey and 

 at a depth of about 12 feet ground water occurs. The soil is not a 

 good potato soil, but excellent for wheat, Rooi Koren and Rooi Lama 

 being the varieties best suited to it. The natural vegetation consists 

 of the same grasses found en the higher-lying land, but rooi platblaar 

 predominates, and in additioji there is a good proportion of blauw- 

 lilommetjes. 



An attempt was being made to establish lucerne on this lower- 

 lying land. At the time the samples were taken the plants were very 

 young, so that it is not possible to state whether or not the land is 

 suitable for lucerne culture. 



