i"()Ki;sT i'KO(;ri:ss ix riii i)|<.\ki;\si;i-.K(,. i8^ 



vlear and easily followed. Mr. .MoUer enii)lia.sisf(l tlu- point 

 ihat the rapid extension is due larjj^ely to fire protection. 



Mr. Moller has planted numerous kinds of exotic trees, the 

 l)rincij)al hein^^ Acacia juollissima. Acacia dealbata, Casuariiia, 

 Piiiiis insigfiis. Pitiiis pinaster, Cinnamomum camphora, Qucrciis 

 pcdnnciilata. Acacia niclaiioxylon, Citprcssiis seiupcrvircns. 

 Eucalyptus globulus. Populus fastic/iala. and various kinds of 

 fruit trees, all of which are in a thriving condition. nian\- of the 

 exotic trees hein^' splendid specimens, and s^ive an indication of 

 the kinds of timber which can be successfullv grown on a large 

 •-(^de in the neighbourhood. 



The Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) was at first established 

 with the greatest difficulty. To-day it is a tree so well acclima- 

 tised that its eradication is not an easy matter. It is spreading 

 along the stream banks and into the indigenous bush, generally 

 ousting the indigenous flora and taking possession of agricul- 

 tural lands. It may be remarked that the rapid spread of the 

 Silver Wattle is also noticeable in the Polela Division. 



When Mr. Moller acquired the farm, there were growing 

 near a stream-bank a few small suckers of White Poplar planted 

 by a previous owner about 1880. The poplars, with compara- 

 tively little attention, have, by means of suckers, grown into a 

 large grove containing trees up to one foot in diameter and 35 

 feet in height, though many of the best stems have been cut 

 out from time to time for farm purposes. The wood is con- 

 tinually spreading into the surrounding forest, which itself is 

 of recent origin. The floor is fairly clean, and contains a good 

 layer of humus with a sprinkling of the usual forest weeds and 

 ferns. Scattered amongst the po])lars there are seedlings of in- 

 digenous trees, including Leucosidca scricea, which appears to be 

 tolerant to the poplar shade. In the Leucosidca scrul). which 

 partly .surrounds the grove, it was noted that munerous ]xj]:)lar 

 suckers were making their appearance, many having penetrated 

 the canopy, and were developing into good boles. There is every 

 indication that in time the White Poplar will, in com])eitition 

 Avith the indigenous trees, produce timber of high value for the 

 various technical purposes. 



It has been attempted, l)y recording the foregoing observa- 

 tions, to indicate that in the locality described the forests are 

 progressive and not retrogressive ; that Leucosidca sericca is one 

 of the chief agents in assisting the succession of veld to forest 

 in the cases of both indigenous and exotic species of forest trees 

 and shrubs; and that, in itself, by reason of its power to with- 

 stand repeated injury by fire, and by its well-developed root sys- 

 tem, and its abundant humus, Leucosidca scricea- is of im])ort- 

 ance in preserving the water supply and preventing erosions, and 

 in acting as a nurse for the better kinds of indigenous and 

 exotic trees, which can successfully be grown on the Eastern 

 .slopes of the Drakensberg Range of mountains. 



