4 32 The JoiLnial of Forestry 



PROTECTING RIVER SIDES. 



Sir, — I have read with interest the paper of your able contributor in 

 the last number of the Journal of Forestry on the subject of protecting 

 river sides, and have derived valuable information therefrom. Your 

 contributor, Mr. Scott, very truly remarks that proprietors look upon 

 those they employ as able to direct on proper principles all the affairs 

 of the landed estate ; and I think it will not be out of place, while the 

 subject is before your readers, if I ventui'e to ask for some extended 

 information upon the means of protecting banks against large and 

 rapidly flowing rivers, running through or alongside the grounds of 

 mansions, &c. 



I was called upon some few months ago to advise as to the best manner 

 of resisting the incursions of the River Thames (in Berkshii-e), which was 

 rapidly gaining way upon a large extent of lawn and grounds. I found 

 that the usual method in the locality was by putting down what is called 

 " camp-shedding," which, generally described, is the driving down strong 

 piles, to the inside of which are fixed stout planks seen at intervals to the 

 solid bank by iron " land ties," the empty places between the piles and 

 worn bank being filled up with earth, stones, &c. The prices for this sort 

 of work varied, according to quality, from 25s. to 40s. per lineal yard, 

 which, where there is any extent of bank to be protected, involves a 

 serious outlay. It seems to me that there must be some cheaper and 

 effectual method which would answer the purpose, and still preserve 

 the bank in its neat and ornamental character. On portions of the 

 same property upon which the river was encroaching willows had been 

 planted, apparently with great success, many years ago, but as the banks 

 were steep and the current strong, these were mostly leaning almost horizon- 

 tally over the water, and seemed as if before long they, along with the 

 bank on which they were growing, must become the prey of the river. 

 Young plants, I conclude, in such cases should be supphed from time to 

 time. 



I should be glad of any information on these matters which your useful 

 Journal may be the means of supplying. 



J. F. L. R. 



Septemher 5, 1877. 



PRICES OF LARCH BARK, 



Sir, — The prices obtained for various classes of timber and in some 

 districts of the country have already been discussed at considerable 

 length in the pages of the Journal ; and I have been wondering that this 

 subject has never been touched ujion, vk., the high prices of larch bark at 

 Rossdhu (p. 31.) I have had a most extensive experience in this department 



