DESCKIPTION' OF PLATES. 



Plate I. (Frontispiece.) Map of the sand areas inclosing Cape Cod Harbor. The 

 30-foot contour lines indicate roughly the topography and general outlines of the 

 seven dune ranges which constitute the larger portion of the sand areas surround- 

 ing the harbor. The outer three nonforested dune ranges have been covered 

 with beach grass and are indicated in black. 



Plate II. Fig. 1. — Beach grass forming protective beach ridge. The grass is shown 

 to extend to within the limit of wave action during the winter storms. Its 

 peculiar habit of sending out rootstocks when buried enables it to keep the ever- 

 increasing sand deposits well covered. The gradual accumulations of sand inci- 

 dent to these depositing ridges form the ideal conditions for the thrifty growth 

 of this grass. The beach ridge indicated has increased 20 feet in height during 

 the past twenty years. The beach grass has been the chief factor in accumulat- 

 ing the sands necessary for the strengthening of this portion of the sand areas 

 protecting the harbor. Fig. 2. — Beach grass, showing method of vegetative 

 propagation. Beach gra.ss is efficient in the natural reclamation processes owing 

 to the method of rapid vegetative propagation from rootstocks, which enables 

 scattered individuals to soon cover the drifting sands with a sufficient growth to 

 prevent the sand riiovement. 



Plate III. Fig. 1. — Set of beach grass suitable for transplanting. The set shows two 

 nodes of the rootstock with attached rootlets. Two-year-old stock is most desir- 

 able for transplanting. The method of hand pulling is practiced throughout 

 these areas. Fig. 2. — Transplanting beach grass. The gently sloping sand areas 

 are covered with beach grass in the manner indicated. The brows of the hills 

 are covered immediately with bayberry transplanted from the adjoining timbered 

 areas. The steeper slopes are often reduced to an angle of 25 degrees or less 

 before the planting is begun. 



Plate IV. Fig. 1. — Lee slope of a sand dune showing the manner in which the 

 advan(;ing dune buries forests lying in its path. Fig. 2. — General view of the 

 grass plantations, looking south. Native growth in foreground. In the back- 

 ground the transplanted beach-grass area adjoins the sands not yet covered. 

 Bayberry Vjushes have been introduced upon the crests of the dunes. Before 

 these areas were covered with the gra«s, the dunes were encroaching upon the 

 forest and city shown in the distance. 



Plate V. Fig. 1. — Bayberry bushes without grass protection. The presence of 

 bushes alone is not sufficient to prevent the shifting of the sand. The large size 

 of the sand grains is indicated in the foreground. Fig. 2.— Bayberry bushes with 

 grass protection. The deterioration of the grass is evident but its duration is 

 sufficient to enable the introduced woody growth to become self-protecting. 

 The grass was planted in 1898 and the bayberry a year subsequently. 



Plate VI. Fig. 1. — Wind erosion of nonprotected sand. The brush line in the center 

 marks the eastward extension of the beach grass plantings of 1898. The amount 

 of sand erosion by the wind since the gra«s w-as introduced is clearly indicated 

 on the eroded sand areas at the left where it appears that at least 15 feet of sand 

 have been removed. Fig. 2. — Protecting a road through the dunes. The brush 

 lines, logs, and bushes form an efficient protection to the sides of the cut. The 

 roadV)ed consists of brush overlaid with turf sods obtained from the neighbor- 

 ing forest. 



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