22 HARBOUR CONSTRUCTION. 



Another system, which in some localities has been qnite success- 

 ful, and which is probably the least costly of any, is that of planting 

 roots or tufts of sand -loving grasses about 18 inches apart over the 

 area to be reclaimed. 



Perhaps the best of these is the sea-reed (Ammophila arenaria), 

 which frequents the dry loose sand of the sea-shore. The runners of 

 this grass, which throw out roots from every joint, and from which 

 new shoots proceed, push their way in all directions through and 

 over the sand, and soon form quite a network. 



Several other kinds of grasses may be planted with advantage, 

 as, for instance, sea- wheat (Triticum junceum), purple fescue (Festuca 

 rubra), upright sea-lyme (Elymus arenarius), etc. 



One great advantage which grasses possess is that the wind, by 

 bending their stems, lays them close to the sand, and thus causes 

 them to afford the maximum amount of protection just when it is 

 most needed. 



In some extensive sand-drifts in the Cape Colony in which I was 

 interested, in connection with harbour work, willows (Port Jackson 

 and golden), maritime pine, blue gum, tobac plant, protea, waxberry 

 creeper, bloembosch, Kaffir fig, wild cotton, and several kinds of 

 grasses, were all used with more or less success. 



Every effort should be made to induce the growth of trees, with 

 the view of obtaining some return for the expenditure incurred. 

 Some of the reclaimed sand-drifts of France, which were planted 

 with maritime pines, now return a substantial revenue. 



The average cost of reclaiming sand-drifts at the Cape was about 

 25 to 30 per acre. 



Where a good supply of grass-roots can be readily obtained, the 

 system of reclaiming drifts by planting them may, however, be carried 

 on at a very much smaller cost. 



