viii FOEEWOED 



their immediate descendants were not maintained by their successors, and, 

 until recently, with the exception possibly of minor irrigation schemes, 

 farm engineering in South Africa has been greatly neglected. 



Under the circumstances prevailing before the opening of the mines, 

 this neglect was not greatly felt or much to be wondered at, but, since 

 that date, profound changes have occurred in the farming industry, due 

 partly to local causes and partly to influences that have affected, and are 

 affecting, agriculture throughout the world. Practically the whole of the 

 country suitable for farming has been apportioned into farms, land has 

 greatly appreciated in value, and labour is dearer and more difficult to 

 obtain; improvements in means of communication and transport have 

 brought farmers into touch and consequently into competition, not only 

 with their fellows in this country, but with farmers throughout the world. 



Further, the cost of farming and the personal expenses of the farmer 

 and his family have greatly increased, and whereas formerly the needs of 

 a farmer were mainly supplied by the farm, they now extend far beyond 

 what it can produce, and though of course the thrifty man will always 

 make use of home-grown produce, the modern farm is really more of a 

 factory than of an agency for the subsistence of the farmer and his family. 

 This being so, farmers must move with the times, and, like managers of 

 factories, employ every means within their power to promote efficiency 

 and reduce waste. 



Unfortunately, the erection of fences and buildings and of the majority 

 of permanent improvements is an expensive business, and it is easy to 

 make mistakes and waste money over them. On the other hand, much 

 can be done by the exercise of thought and ingenuity to reduce the cost of 

 them, and, from every point of view, it is desirable that farmers should 

 study the subject carefully, so that they may understand exactly what is 

 needed to put their farms into good shape and how best to set about 

 doing so. 



For large engineering works professional assistance should be obtained, 

 but most of the works required upon a farm are quite within the scope of 

 farmers themselves. 



This book is a valuable contribution to an important subject, and 

 should prove exceedingly useful to farmers and to students in agricultural 

 colleges. 



It has been written after several years' study of the conditions 



