LADYBRAND

ladybrand, a town of the orange free state, 80 m. e. of bloemfontein by rail. another railway connects it with natal via harrismith. pop. (1904) 3862, of whom 2334 were whites. the town is pleasantly situated at the foot of a flat-topped hill (the platberg), about 4 m. w. of the caledon river, which separates the province from basutoland. ladybrand is the centre of a rich arable district, has a large wheat market and is also a health resort, the climate, owing to the proximity of the maluti mountains, being bracing even during the summer months (november-march). coal and petroleum are found in the neighbourhood. it is named after the wife of sir j. h. brand, president of the orange free state.