F. W. Oliver 35 



of a harbour too big for its mouth was the arrival of just such a vigorous 

 agent of reclamation as Spartina is proving itself to be ! 



The dissemination of this theory in its unproved state is dangerous 

 if not vicious. It is one of those comforting theories which beguiles 

 human nature into sitting tight and doing nothing. It is much more 

 agreeable to "wait and see" than to take the arduous but necessary 

 steps towards finding out. Spartina has now been encroaching for 

 20 years and systematic observations should reveal whether the trend 

 of change is in the direction implied by this theory. Meanwhile, what is 

 the experience with other narrow mouthed harbours? Are they immune 

 from deterioration when halophytic vegetation invades their mud flats ? 



2. Spartina as an Agent in Reclamation. 



It is obvious that a vigorous plant like Spartina, capable of colonising 

 soft and mobile mud flats, must have considerable value from this point 

 of view. In Britain roots have been transplanted to a number of localities 

 with a view to studying the behaviour of Spartina under varying sur- 

 roundings. Among these may be mentioned the Firth of Forth, Wells 

 (Norfolk), and the Harwich estuary. At Clevedon (Somerset) 1 and 

 Sheerness it has been planted with the definite object of protecting the 

 coast line from erosion by scour, and with considerable success, so it 

 appears. Further afield consignments have been sent to New Zealand, 

 Australia, S. America and other distant spots, and when the time is 

 ready it is much to be hoped that a collective report may be prepared 

 detailing the results of all such experiments. The notice which Spartina 

 as a reclaiming agent has received from overseas is noteworthy and the 

 demand appears to be increasing. It will perhaps be convenient to state 

 here that Lord Montagu of Beaulieu is always willing to deal with 

 applications of this kind. 



3. As a Feed for Stock. 



No one who has lived on a farm, bordering e.g. on Poole Harbour, 

 can have remained in doubt as to the value of Spartina in the feeding 

 of stock. Horses, sheep and cattle eat it with avidity and habitually 

 make their way on to the Spartina meadows almost before the tide has 

 run off. Farmers speak well of it except that it gives an undesirable 

 flavour to milk. As the grass remains standing on its roots throughout 

 the winter till April, it forms a most convenient reserve feed that can 

 be cut as required. 



1 According to information from Miss I. M. Roper. 



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