206 FORESTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



the rainfall being from 5 to 15 inches, and tree growth is absent 

 except along river banks. Hail is frequent and often causes 

 severe damage to forests. 



section ii.— the forests op south africa. 

 1. Areas and Ownership. 

 The division of the Union land is as follows : — 



Total . . 473,096 .. 100-0 



Agricultural land includes only the areas under agricultural crops 

 and fruit and the areas lying fallow in 1918, while the areas under 

 pasturage and waste lands are included under " Other Lands." 

 It has not been possible to spht up the forest area under 

 " Merchantable " and " Unprofitable or Inaccessible." The 

 total forest area, however, does not include the wooded area of 

 Native locations and reserves. 



The ownership of the forests is as follows : — 



Total . 2,361 .. 100-0 



The above areas actually carry trees. In addition, the Forest 

 Department holds an area of about 2,430 square miles which is 

 treeless but serves as a protection of the head waters of streams. 

 Of the 3,310 square miles comprising the State forest reserves, 

 77 per cent, are demarcated and 23 per cent, undemarcated. 

 Forest land once demarcated cannot be alienated without the 

 consent of Parliament. 



2. Types of Forest Growth. 



South African Foresters distinguish four types of woodland 

 vegetation : forest, scrub, bush-veld, and palm-veld. 



