22 RECLAMATION OF CAPE COD SAND DUNES. 



each 3'ear to the plantincr of beach grass. The aggregate effect of this 

 reguhir and coiiibined effort was quite marked, although it is always 

 difficult to estimate the results of measures more or less protective in 

 nature. In 1826, as a result of the report of the commission appointed 

 by the State the preceding year to investigate the devastation of the 

 lands surrounding the harbor, the General Government inaugurated an 

 extensive and systematic attempt at the reclamation of the exposed 

 sand areas by the planting of beach grass. 



The operations required appropriations extending over a period of 

 twentj^-eight 3'ears and aggregating the sum of ^36,350. Of this 

 amount it is reported that $29,889.06 was spent in planting 1,403 

 acres of the barren sand areas with beach grass. It was soon found 

 that it was best to first plant the areas lying farthest to the windward, 

 as these constituted the source of the sand and the spreading of the 

 grass b}^ seed over the unplanted areas would be facilitated. The 

 actual planting operations w^ere commenced in 1880, and the bulk of 

 the plantings was made between this date and 1839. The grass was 

 brought from Truro in boats and planted at intervals of from two to 

 three feet, depending upon the exposure to the winds. Most of the 

 grass was set with the aid of a shovel, two men working together, 

 although in the low places a pike provided with a crossbar 15 inches 

 from the point proved an excellent tool, as deeper planting was possi- 

 ble and but one man was necessary. This method was found to be 

 imj^racticable in dr}- sand, as the small holes filled with sand before the 

 sets could be inserted. Mr. Asa S. Bowly was the .superintendent 

 during the greater portion of the time. Spring planting was the rule, 

 and about two hundred acres were planted each season, requiring a 

 force of fift}^ la])orers. 



In 18.52 the planting was resumed, this time for the purpose of 

 strengthening the narrow arm of the Cape separating East Harbor 

 from the ocean. At this time there was an abundance of grass within 

 the old plantations available for transplanting, although the grass on 

 certain areas had been buried, while in others it had been uprooted 

 by the wind. As a rule the grass on the higher elevations had suf- 

 fered the most and it was thought best to confine the plantings to the 

 lower areas. The spreading of the grass was facilitated b}^ prohibit- 

 ing the pasturing of cattle upon the Province lands. 



The General Government has spent to June 30, 1903, the sum of 

 $162,019.86 for the protection of the harbor. Aside from the amount 

 expended for grass planting, this has been used for dikes, bulkheads, 

 and groin fences to catch and hold the sand in place. It has always 

 been the practice to plant beach grass for the purpose of accumu- 

 lating sand along the dikes and bulkheads, thus increasing the protec- 

 tion afforded b}' them. 



The work of the State was principally confined to legislative acts 

 until the recent work was begun in 18U3. It should be stated, however, 



