498 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 



Otherwise only to the inner edges of the same. In order to give greater 

 firmness to the corners it will be advantageous to use for them larger 

 pieces, about 45 centimeters square, by laying them alternating, with the 

 ordinary pieces (30 centimeters square). Each layer is carefully smoothed 

 down and the empty space in front of ii filled with earth, which is 

 rammed down. The uppermost layer is laid with the grassy side up- 

 ward and every layer is fastened with one or two pegs 30 centimeters 

 long and 4 centimeters thick. After this has been done the wall is 

 scarped and smoothed down, which, however, will not be necessary if 

 the pieces of sod have been carefully laid. In order to make the con- 

 nection between the covering and the earth-work of the dike stronger 

 every third layer may be double, when the front pieces should be cut 

 10 centimeters (as shown in the figure), or larger pieces should be em- 

 ployed A squad of three men, one of whom carries the pieces ot sod, 

 while the second lays and fastens them, and the third fills the spaces be- 

 tween the earth-work and the covering with earth and rams it down, can 

 use 2,000 pieces in twelve hours. 



The dimensions of the walls which are to be covered, and those of the 

 pieces of sod, whose thickness will be only 7 to 10 centimeters even if 

 they have been dug out from a depth of 10 to 15 centimeters, will deter- 

 mine the entire amount of pieces of sod required, to which should be 

 added 10 per cent for those which cannot be used. The length of wall 

 which can be covered in one hour is calculated by dividing the number 

 of layers required for the entire wall by the number of pieces of sod (IGO) 

 which can be laid in one hour, and the (luotieiit is multiplied by the 

 length of that side of the piece of sod which comes nearest the wall. 

 This way of covering a dike with sod is called the head -sod covering. 

 One may also, but only in case of very gentle slopes and wherever very 

 solid soil can be obtained, cover the walls, after they have been scarped, 

 with pieces of sod in such a manner that every piece lies with the grassy 

 side upward, and in order to make this covering still more solid every 

 piece may be pinned down with two pegs. It will be easily understood, 

 however, that this mode of covering will not be near as solid as the one 

 described above. The first-mentioned method should be employed in 

 all cases where there is no solid earth for the outer sides of the earth- 

 work and where it is impossible to obtain material for wicker-work. If 

 instead of the pegs referred to shoots of willows can be used, the willow 

 plantation will have been provided at the same time. Most of these 

 shoots will thrive. If there are not enough of them to supply both the 

 land and water side of the dike, they should only be used for the latter. 

 Willows should likewise be planted along the foot of the dike. 



2. Fascine covering.— The most solid covering, and that which can be 

 made in a comparatively short time, is that by fascines. By fascines we 

 understand cylinder-shaped bundles of dry sticks, tied very firmly, 

 measuring at most 5.4 and at least 3 meters in length and 25 to 30 cen- 

 timeters in thickness. If there is a sufficient quantity of material in the 



