408 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the Entire Cover System since results are desired quiclily. Another 

 class of ownership which would use this system of reclamation is the 

 investor in summer resort properties. Holdings of sand dune blows and 

 barrens are made especially attractive as sites for summer colonies 

 when covered with forest. Thousands of acres of shifting sand along the 

 shore of Lake Michigan may be eventually converted into summer home 

 sites, by the expenditure of money in systematic cover planting for sand 

 control. 



The Entire Cover Method is a complete covering of the sand in a 

 single season. For convenience in carrying on the work it is best 



Fig. 16. The valuable work of beach grass. This mound of sand was very securely 

 tied down by the roots of this grass. No other plant could possibly gain a footing so 

 rapidly nor resist the wind action so effectively. 



handled in three operations, first, grass planting; second, willow belt 

 planting, and dead cover. The labor under this system is divided into 

 three squads or crews numbered for convenience A, B and C. Squad A 

 should be assigned to grass planting work entirely. Considerable skill 

 in setting the plants is soon acquired. The size of the crews will vary 

 with the lateness of the season. O'rdinarily ten men make a good plant- 

 ing unit for one foreman to handle. Squads B and C with their fore- 

 men are assigned to the collection of grass plants. If the distance is 

 not too great, say a mile or two between the planting site and the source 

 of material, the two squads will secure, transport, and "heel in" plants 

 enough during the first week to keep squad A planting steadily for about 

 three wrecks. Beginning Avith the second week, squad B is assigned to 

 planting the willow cuttings in belts as shown in Fig. 15. At this time 

 squad C begins the collection and hauling of dead cover material w^hich 

 may be piled up at convenient points near the planting. Then squad 

 C begins the planting of the poplar and conifer stock about ten days 

 after squad A began. The trees are planted in rows five feet apart, un- 

 less the blow is very severe, then a four foot spacing is preferable, alter- 



