496 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [30] 



until it has reached one-half or three-fourths of its height, so that dur- 

 ing the rapid progre*ss of the work of covering it there may always be 

 sufficient earth for filling out. We shall below give directions as to the 

 various methods to be followed in covering a dike. After the ditch has 

 been dug out in its rough outline, furrows are cut in the steps in those 

 places where the profiles of the ditch, lengthened uj)wards, have been 

 drawn, in the same direction as these i)rofiles. Thereu])on the boards 

 are lengthened downward, the wedge-shaped pieces of earth are removed 

 with a spade, and finally the walls of the ditch are made as smooth and 

 accurate as possible. The earth obtained by this process is used for 

 completing the dike ; if it should not prove sufficient it may be advisa- 

 ble to enlarge the ditches and the fish-pit. If even then the quantity 

 of earth should not be sufficient it should be obtained from other places. 

 If the dike is to be built of a soil which consists only of one layer of 

 good earth, and for the rest is composed of sand and stones, this layer 

 should be taken off and piled up along the edge of the foot of the scarp 

 on the water side, so as to serve as an outer coating, while the stones, 

 &c., may be used for the inside. In this case it will alwaj^s be necessary 

 to obtain some earth from another locality. If the dike is to be placed 

 on sloping ground it should have a very firm foundation, so that it can- 

 not easily slide down. If the- slojie is verj^ steep a sort of step should 

 be dug out for the foundation, and if the slope is gentle, only a hole 20 

 to 40 centimeters deei> ; but, even in the latter case, the step referred 

 to may answer the purpose. In the former case, trenches 50 to GO centi- 

 meters broad are dug along the entire length of the proposed dike at 

 intervals also of 50 to 60 centimeters, so that a small jnece of the original 

 soil remains between the different trenches, and the earth of the dike 

 may, so to speak, be dovetailed with the original soil. No special 

 laborers need be employed for preparing the foundation of the dike; 

 this should be done by the shovelers and pounders during the intervals 

 of their labor until they can be emjiloyed in removing the earth, and 

 until a sufficient quantity of earth is piled up near the dike to begin 

 with the leveling and pounding. 



B. — Covering the dike. 



In order to give the greatest possible firmness to the dike, the earth- 

 work is surrounded with a coating of more solid material. This coating 

 is particularly needed on the water side, and, if it is in any way possible, 

 it should not be omitted on that side, whicjb, should also be planted with 

 willows. If good earth has been emjdoyed this coating may be omitted 

 on the land side, but even here it will prove an advantage. The land 

 side should also, under all circumstances, be planted with willows. 



The dikes are covered either with 1, sod; 3, fascines; 3, wicker- 

 work; 4, earth; or 5, wood. 



1. Sod. — For this purpose there will be needed pieces of sod 30 centi- 

 meters broa-d, 30 to 45 cejitimeters long, and 10 to 15 OPPtiweters thJc'K. 



