Tharfield - the story of an Eastern Cape farm and its inhabitants (1822-1977)

Abstract

The story of the farm Tharfield is also that of the families Bowker and Webb. As one of the loveliest and most unspoiled farms in the Settler country it is not only a treasure house of Settler history: the wide variety of habitat it offers for bird and beast also makes it of interest to the conservationist and the ecologist, and a study of the farming methods practised from the time the farm was granted to its original owner in 1822 might prove most informative to the agriculturist. Tharfield was in the possession of the Bowkers for just over a century when in 1925 it became the property of Thomas Webb. Ever since the present owner of Tharfield took over the farm, he has concentrated on the production of commercial beef cattle and has continued the Webb tradition of improving the quality of grazing by planting more palatable grasses. In modernising the farm the owner, however, kept in mind the contribution the individual farmer can make to the cause of conservation. Therefore, in 1973, a portion of Tharfield was set aside as a nature reserve.