l82 FOREST 1'K()(;ri-:ss 1 x Tin-: i)i:.\ ki:xsi;ik(;. 



this spread was takint;^ place along- the foot of krantzes and pre- 

 cipitous ground, from the valleys up towards the ridges, and 

 along the streams and watercourses, but not upwards towards 

 tile higiier points of the mountain range, where spread is Hmited 

 by krantzes. shallow soil and unfavourable conditions generally, 

 and further, that the spread would be faster if more care wai^ 

 exercised when firing the veld. 



The foregoing general observations and considerations led 

 the writer to investigate in detail the constitution of some of 

 the forests, particularly those on the farm " Alardenash," with 

 the following results : — 



The farm " Mardenash." w hich has an altitude of about 

 4,Soo to 6,000 feet, has been in the possession of the present 

 owner for more than 30 years. The owner has continuously 

 lived on the {property, and conse([uently is in a position to give 

 historical data which would either sup])!)rt or negative the gen- 

 eral opinion already expressed. Mr. M. Moller. senior, the 

 owner of the farm, expressed the ()|)in:on that the climate had 

 changed since he first came to the neighbourhood, citing- as in- 

 stances that there used to be numerous vleis and swamps which 

 have in recent years disaj^peared, and indicated some of the spots 

 which are at ])resent cultivated lands. Further, that formerly 

 more rain fell in winter, and severe frosts were more frequent 

 than at present. There are mo actual meteorological data avail- 

 able for the locality, so that the opinion exjiressed cannot be 

 confirmed or otherwise. 



The forests on " A'tardenash " are of the ty|je described, but 

 in the lower portions where the Herg merges into the low veld 

 ^icocia cajjra makes its a])pearance, and the two t\-])es of veld 

 meet. i.e.. the grasses with Frotca and tliose with thorn trees — 

 though -Iciicia caffru is the only one met with here, and seems to 

 come up to a higher elevation than elsewhere, probably owing 

 to the -nild climate brought about by excellent air drainage. 



The homestead is situated in the valley, about 4,000 feet 

 (.liwation. and rising on all sides except the south-east are tho 

 slojics f>l 'die P)erg. 



Ininicdiately to the north of the homestead, on a southern 

 aspect tliei-e are several patches of close-type forest, which were 

 exaiinned as to stocking of trees, and the nature of the perimeter-. 

 The patches, having an elevation of about 5,000 feet, were foun-l 

 to be in rather shallow kloofs, more like dej^ressions within .1 

 terrace crowned by a somewhat steej) slo])e. Much of the forest, 

 i)s soon as entered, gave the ai)]iearance of being comparatively 

 youthful ; the perimeters are fairly well defined, with a dis- 

 tinct transitional or marginal zone. ihe adjoining veld con- 

 sisted of grasses in which a tainhooli dominated, and gave no 

 indication that at an> time in recent years it had been covered 

 with forest growth. Scattered about the veld were a few trees 

 of L'ti.'isoiiia and C'cliislni.\- hu.vif alius and some /'ro/ra.v, and 

 along an outcro]) of rock some Grcyia Sutlicvlaiidi. 



