28 RECLAMATION OF CAPE COD SAND DUNES. 



disappeared. This is shown more clearly in Plate V , figure 2, than in the 

 mortality tal)le, for in the latter no account is taken of the great reduc- 

 tion in size and vigor which the sets have undergone. In the planta- 

 tions of 1895 beach grass and poverty grass {Iludsonia tomentoxa) from 

 wind-scattered seed are slowly working in among the old sets. It is 

 possible that this natural reclamation process will continue until the 

 entire area is permanently covered with vegetation, although this 

 same site was covered with grass in 1830 and the force of the winds 

 prevented the natural vegetation from establishing itself among the 

 transplanted beach grass. In the plantations of 1899 there are to be 

 noted areas where the grass has retained its natural vigor, although 

 there is no apparent difference between these and the areas showing 

 a less vigorous growth. 



EFFECTIVENESS OF BRUSH LAYING. 



It has been the custom to cover certain areas with brush, usually 

 those at the top of the ranges and just above the grass plantations. 

 These areas were more or less su})ject to the eroding action of the 

 wind, and it was thought that brush would answer the purpose l^etter 

 than beach grass. The brush was at first laid on in squares, but this 

 proved less effective than the method of placing the brush uniformly 

 over the entire surface; hence the latter system has been adopted. 

 The beach grass comes in from naturally sown seed, and since the 

 sand is not accumulating the grass is more or less depauperate; yet it 

 is able to survive and by the time the brush decays has prepared the 

 way for the succeeding vegetation, which, in connection with the 

 grass, is able to hold the sand quite effectively. The laying of brush 

 has been practiced quite extensivel}^ for the protection of roadways 

 through the sand. The total area covered has been about 15 acres, at 

 an approximate cost of $25 per acre. The addition of a small amount 

 of soil to the area covered with brush has been found to greatl}^ hasten 

 the formation of the vegetative covering. The application need not 

 be continuous nor at all thick. Brush cut with the leaves attached is 

 best, as the humus content of the sand is increased and a nmch better 

 protection afforded as long as the leaves remain. 



EFFICIENCY OF BEACH ORASS FOR SAND BINDING. 



Although many grasses have been tried at various times and places 

 in this and foreign countries, no other has proved so effective as the 

 beach gi-ass. The long, tough, but flexible leaves of the be.ach grass 

 enable it to endure the action of the wind with little detriment. A 

 bunch of dead grass will withstand two seasons of wind action without 

 becoming entirely destroyed. The statements sometimes made con- 

 cerning the sand-l)inding power of the roots of this grass must be taken 

 with some allowance. The principal place where the sand-binding 



