TO THE READER. 



The following notes have grown somewhat out of lectures 

 delivered in October last at the Government School of 

 Agriculture,, Elsenburg. When, as an afterthought, it 

 occurred to me that a wider use might be made of the 

 observations they contain, I consulted with those in a 

 position to judge, and, meeting with encouragement, 

 resolved to publish them. 



In general design the pamphlet retains the character of 

 the original lectures, which were, in accordance to the pre- 

 sumed expectations of a young and progressive audience, 

 an attempt to display the importance of, and necessity 

 for, the general introduction of a more advanced agricul- 

 tural method. 



To prevent any misunderstanding, perhaps I should say 

 that the writer does not claim any of that praise which 

 belongs to those who suggest an altogether new and 

 improved plan for the mitigation of the many difficulties 

 which beset the South African farmer, but he does hope 

 that the intelligible and handy form of this little book will 

 bring the subject to the notice of many who will, he trusts, 

 profit by its perusal. 



JOHN F. W. GATHERER. 



Government School of Agriculture, 

 Elsenburg, April, 1904. 



