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north-west of this, on the farm Karnemelksfontein, two samples (Noe. 10 

 and 11) were secured from land which had lain uncultivated for six years, 

 and was being prepared for the next season's sowing. At this spot the 

 soil was clay of somewhat sandy nature. Mr. F. Duckitt, the owner of 

 the farm, mentioned that here, on one and the same piece of laud, the 

 yield was apt to differ considerably; that of the low-lying portions being 

 inferior to that of the higher ground; two samples were therefore taken, 

 Xo. 10 from high ground, and No. 11 from a lower level, at spots within 

 a few yards of each other, in order to ascertain whether any difference in 

 chemical composition could be detected, or whether excessive moisture 

 in the low-lying parts was the cause of the variation in the crop. Of the 

 two soils, the former was found to possess a higher retentive capacity for 

 moisture; it is also better supplied with lime, but in both cases potash 

 and phosphoric oxide are very low. The hills about the village of Darling 

 are, to a great extent, granitic, and, although the farm of Mr. C. Duckitt, 

 The Towers, was visited, the granitic grain land was altogether omitted, 

 nor was any sample of the clay soil taken here, as a sample (No. 12) of 

 soil of the same type was procured four miles north-west of Karnemelks- 

 fontein, at Alexanderfontein, the farm of Mr. M. Duckitt, from land 

 which was being prepared for the next season's use, after having been 

 uncultivated for four years. On proceeding to the farm Reeboksfontein, 

 3J miles west of Alexanderfontein, and principally granitic soil, a sample, 

 No. 13, of clay soil was obtained; this soil had been uncultivated for three 

 years. On the farm Platteklip, 2| miles north of Reeboksfontein, a 

 sample of sandy clay soil, No. 14, was collected; this had not been cul- 

 tivated for one year, but was being prepared for the next season. These 

 last three soils are alluvial clays, No. 14 being evidently affected by the 

 granite which underlies them, all : this also manifests itself in the smaller 

 percentage of lime and the higher proportion of potash that it contains. 

 On the farm Drogevlei, two miles north-west of Platteklip, two samples, 

 Nos. 31 and 32, about one hundred yards apart, were taken frn-ni laud 

 said to be extremely fertile, lying to the north of a saltpan. The- first 

 soil was a greyish-coloured stiff clay, which proved to be rich in lime and 

 potash, and contained a fair quantity of phosphates; the second, a- lighter, 

 more or less sandy clay of a reddish colour, contained a moderate amount/ 

 of lime and potash, but proved decidedly poor in phosphoric oxide. This 

 soil is reputed to be rust-resistent, and is cultivated without manuring. 

 On the farm Zwartwater, about a mile to the north-west, No. 33, a soil 

 similar in appearance to No. 31, was taken for comparison; it was found 

 to be chemically much the poorer. Why these soils should be superior 

 to others as regards immunity from rust, does not appear from the chemi- 

 cal analyses. The position of this soil with respect to the adjoining salt- 

 pan is similar to that of No. 31. The next sample, No. 34, was taken 

 from sandy soil, 1J mile further north-west, and not rust-resistenb. This 

 soil had not been cultivated for three years, and is never manured. Prac- 

 tical experience had found it poorer than the preceding sample, and chemi- 

 cal analysis confirms this, although the difference is not great. In this 

 neighbourhood too farmers have frequently observed that, while the sur- 

 rounding crops are affected by rust, certain patches of ground year after 

 year escape visitation, or, when affected, do not suffer greatly. It was 

 from such a patch that sample No. 35 was ta<ken. The particular 

 patch extends over about 40 or 50 acres; it had never been manured, 

 a.nd was used for the cultivation of wheat every alternate year, lying fallow 

 in the intervening years. Proceeding from this farm, a sandy tract is 

 entered upon, which stretches as far as the coast, about nine or tea miles. 

 \Underlying the stratum of sand, which is two feet or more in depth, is a 



