23 8 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



of the old Boer, Riet Fontein* is now almost a 

 village, and boasts a population of some sixty souls 

 whites and blacks while upon the whole run 

 there are nearly 100 people more. Farm has been 

 added to farm, until the total area of the estate 

 contains not less than 164,000 acres of mountain 

 and plain, of which 132,000 acres are karroo, and 

 32,000 acres mountain pasture. Two hundred 

 and fifty-six square miles of land seems an uncon- 

 scionable deal of space ; but large flocks demand 

 far-spreading pasturage, at all events under present 

 conditions of the Cape. 



The Cape Dutch distinguish pastoral farmers 

 under two heads, viz. : Groote-Vee Boers, i.e., 

 great-stock farmers ; and Klein-Vee Boers, little- 

 stock farmers. A Groote-Vee Boer runs horned 

 cattle, whilst a Klein-Vee Boer depastures sheep 

 and goats. Our host ranges himself under the 

 second denomination, and is a Klein-Vee Boer. 

 Upon his 164,000 acres are depastured 15,000 

 sheep, 20,000 goats, and 500 ostriches, whilst, in 

 addition, 200 head of cattle and 100 horses are run 

 upon the slopes of Witteberg and Schoorstenberg. 



These flocks are, of course, not all quartered 

 at Riet Fontein itself; the farm is divided into 

 twenty-five out-stations or vee-kraals, scattered 

 about in different parts. Each of these vee-kraals 

 is in charge of a Dutch or native overseer, under 

 whom are numerous herds Kaffirs, Bushmen, 

 Hottentots, Bechuanas, Mantatees, and others 

 who daily tend their flocks at pasture, and bring 



* NOTE. I am describing the farm as I saw it a few years back. 

 It was sold by Mr. Evans, subsequently, and is now the property of the Cape 

 Stock Farming Company. 



