132 



Crossing the high watershed, No. 34, a sample of Upper Ruggens 

 soil was taken from Honigklip, where the land under cultivation lies 

 at an exceedingly steep angle, and two samples from the farm Melkhout- 

 boom were taken, representing the valleys between these hills and the 

 Langeberg Range, namely, No. 36, a sample of " vlei " (alluvial) soil, and 

 No. 37, a hill soil. 



North-west of Swelleoidam, bounded by the Langeberg Mountains 

 and the Breede River, is a long stretch of decomposed shale and sand- 

 stone in alternate hills and well-watered valleys. Nearly the whole of 

 this picturesque. section, dotted with orchards, vineyards, and grain lands, 

 belongs to the Van Eeden family. Being favourably situated as regards 

 rainfall, etc., this area admits of being extensively cultivated, the low- 

 lying lands, with a potash dressing being particularly suited to the 

 growth of potatoes, and possibly tobacco. Sample No. 38 from the farm 

 Nooitgedacht (Bosjesman's Pad), together with a varient of the same 

 previously obtained at Klippe River, sufficiently typifies these valleys. 



A considerable portion of tthe Swellendam Division is really pastoral ; 

 the scant water supply and the difficulties of transport previous to the 

 advent of the railway having rendered extension of the cultivated area 

 too risky, even although good soil may have been available. The water 

 question remains a great difficulty, and the ways and means of conserv- 

 ing more water have more than once been, seriously discussed. Owing 

 to a bend in the high Langeberg Range, the moisture laden clouds, 

 whether from the north-west or south, precipitate their showers round 

 and about Swellendam village, and northward thereof; a smaller por- 

 tion condenses about the Potteberg mountains and Port Beaufort, while 

 /ain clouds pass over the intermediate area without shedding any of their 

 moisture. 



On a final visit to this division the northern portion, already re- 

 ferred to, was dealt with, and samples were collected from the Tradou/w, 

 the high plateau which extends right across that part of the Swellendam 

 Division, and embraces a considerable part of the adjoining division of 

 Robertson, stretching from the Touws River in the north and east, to 

 the Langeberg Range in the south, and the Wagenbooms Bergen in the 

 south-west. Sowing is carried on successfully only along the Touws 

 River, which widens out very considerably in some parts. No. 1 was 

 taken at Zevenfontein, and is a very typical sample of this fine red 

 11 Karroo " soil, known as " doom grond." From the eastern portion of 

 the Tradouw two samples were selected. Very little, if any, cultivation 

 is carried on between the Groot River, south-east of the village of Ladi- 

 smith, and the farm Uitvlugt, or Warmbad, situated at the eastern end 

 of the Warm water Bad. Mountain. No. 2 represents a loose, unmanured, 

 sandy soil, taken from the garden in front of the homestead on the latter 

 farm. No. 3, a loose clay soil, was collected as being typical of the 

 ground in the valley; it had a very good local reputation, and its quality 

 is excellent according to the chemical analysis. In the neighbourhood 

 of Barrydale, No. 9 was chosen as being more representative of the richer 

 " broken " soil in the valley than the sour and poorer variety near the 

 mountains. Beyond Doom River the farm Doom Rivera Vallei was 

 touched at, and two samples of soil collected. The first of these, No. 7, 

 was a " broken " Karroo soil. No. 8 was a loose clay, of the class usually 

 known locally as " broken " soil, of a rather acid character. The soil 

 becomes more sour on approaching the sandstone of the Langeberg Moun- 

 tains. No. 5, a very loose clay soil, taken from the garden of Mr. G. du 

 Toit, forms a representative sample of the nature of the soil in the 

 village of Barrydale. 



