RECLAMATION OF SMALL AREAS. 33 



the preservation of the harbor in mind that the lands can be controlled 

 with much less expense if the entire area be forested, and it may be 

 said that the present State appropriations for the Cape are to this end. 

 Fires have been started from the careless Imrning of the brush 

 removed in the process of clearing the bogs. However, it appears 

 that even with State ownership of the land the present prices of 

 cranberries make them a source of little, if an\', profit, as the soil is not 

 adapted to producing yields comparable with those farther south 

 along the Cape. 



The pasturage of cattle upon the Province lands has long been pro- 

 hibited by statute, and the pastures in use have been reclaimed from 

 the bog lands near the city. Certain low places have been tilled in, 

 and the redtop present forms a close turf and is apparently able to 

 withstand the usual amount of pasturing 



The lee side of an established dune adjacent to the city has been 

 terraced for the purpose of growing strawberries. The necessary 

 substratum for the vines was obtained from the humus accumulation 

 on the side of the dune. As there are numerous similar areas in the 

 immediate vicinit}', this indicates the possibilities if due care were 

 taken not to rejuvenate the dunes, and there appears to be little danger 

 of this on the lee slopes. 



As with all old places, the cemeter\' is extensive and its uniformly 

 good appearance is worthv of note, especially when the adverse condi- 

 tions are considered. The soil rendering the bluegrass sod possible 

 was either hauled in wagons from further south along the Cape or 

 brought by boat from across the bay. A recent addition to the 

 cemetery was leveled off and the bare sand protected with brush and 

 sods, most of which came from the land leveled for the addition. 

 The above statements may also be made concerning the lawns about 

 the residences in the city, as the soil for these had to be imported from 

 the same sources. 



COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION OF SAND. 



The sand, being of varj'ing size, angular, and light colored, is valu- 

 able for many purposes, but its exportation appears to have been dis- 

 continued. The sand constituting an entire dune was at one time 

 removed to Boston, the ships returning with loads of soil for vise on 

 lawns and in the cemetery. A glass factory was once in operation 

 farther south on the Cape, but it, too, has been discontinued. The 

 sand is valuable for polishing and cutting marble and granite, as well 

 as for use in mortar, and in former years "Cape Cod sand" was fre- 

 quently specified in important contracts for building in cities having 

 navigable water connection with Provincetown. Sand was used in 

 filling in the shallow water at the base of the forested dunes to form 



30160— No. 65—04 3 



