13 



About three miles to the south-east, there is also a small piece of forest on Crown 

 land, called the Mehlamanyama, which is about 500 acres in extent, and similar in nature 

 to the preceding ; only the trees are generally more stunted, and the undergrowth tangled 

 and thorny. Mealie gardens are numerous along the edge. 



In addition to the above, there are many small patches of Grown forest, varying from. 

 50 to 200 acres in area, scattered along the south slopes of the Inhlogozi hills. 



FORESTS IN PIETERMARITZBURG COUNTY. Returning towards the Drakensberg r 

 the forests in Pietermaritzburg, Weenen, and Klip River Counties were successively 

 examined. 



In Pietermaritzburg County, tha forest belt extending from the Karkloof to the 

 Umkomanzi is almost entirely included in private farms. Some of the private forests, 

 notably those at the Karkloof, are of large size : their area was estimated at over 80,000 

 acres by the Forest Commission of 1880. In the Native locations, there are less than 

 10,000 acres, while on Crown land, there are only a few small patches situated on spurs 

 of the Drakensberg, which altogether do not cover much more than 1,000 acres. 



The wooded area in the Zwaartkop location was estimated at 8,000 acres in 1880. 

 Little remains of what must have once been a noble forest. Clumps and isolated trees 

 scattered over an area much larger than that actually wooded, remain to testify to the 

 destruction that has been wrought of late years. The forest has been attacked from every 

 side but the top, where it follows the steep crests of the hills. Below, the edge is so 

 broken and irregular that it appears from a distance as if lacerated into shreds. In this 

 portion, masses of stumps may be seen between straggling patches of bush. Clearings 

 have been made right into the heart of the forest, and what remains has been left by the 

 Natives only on account of the steepness of the ground, making cultivation difficult. 

 These forests are generally situate on south slopes, easily accessible from the Native settle- 

 ments in the location. The altitude varies from 4,750 feet to 3,800 feet. The rainfall 

 on the wooded range of hills is said to be unusually heavy, and the forests should be pre- 

 served if only on occount of their great regulating influence on the flow of water. The 

 principal timber trees seen were Yellowwood, Stinkwood, Sneezewood, White Ironwood,. 

 "White Pear, Wild Chesnut, Camdeboo Stinkwood, Natal Mahogany, Bogabog and 

 Benkenhout. There does not appear to be any kind of supervision exercised over these- 

 forests. 



The largest patch of forest over which the Crown has control is that at Fort Notting- 

 ham, in the Lion's River Division. It is situated on the Nottingham Town lands, and 

 circles, at 5,000 feet altitude, the South and West slopes of a flat topped hill, in a belt two 

 miles long, but so narrow that the area does not exceed 350 acres. To the East, it joins 

 Mr. Mackenzie's forest. The principal timber trees are : Upright and Outeniqua Yellow- 

 wood, Sneezewood, Bitter Almond, Ked Pear, Camdeboo Stinkwood, and Wild Chesnut ; 



