152 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



The above material was cut in the vicinity, the poles being purchased from 

 farmers. 



ROOTED STOCK 



Rooted Poplar 5,474 



A total of 65,000 poplar cuttings were cut, 30,000 being shipped to other 

 Government nurseries, 



(4) Protection 

 Reclamation Work. 



The reason for forming the small nursery at the Sand Banks was to establish 

 a base from which the sand menace could be controlled. For years drifting sand 

 has been gradually encroaching on and burying agricultural land and woodlots 

 to such an extent that it has been found advisable to take some means of con- 

 trolling it. To-day it may be said that the menace is under control. 



Reclamation work which was begun in 1921 has been progressing steadily 

 to date and that portion of the banks concentrated on has been successfully 

 stopped from shifting onto, and burying, agricultural land and timber. The 

 eastern margin of the banks, being the last portion to be attacked by the plank 

 barriers, brush and straw, will be, it is expected, completed within the next two 

 years. The planting of this portion with poplar and willow will complete the 

 preliminary work, i.e., develop a sufficient vegetative covering to prevent further 

 drifting. 



The sand is temporarily halted by use of plank barriers which may be raised 

 as a sand barrier develops. Barriers were placed at various distances apart, 

 usually 500 — 700 feet depending on conditions. 



After this temporary halting of the sand, poplar and willow poles are, 

 ploughed into the sand in the spring. In the following autumn the area is covered 

 with straw and brush as a further means of controlling it. This is followed in 

 the spring by a sowing of sweet clover (two bushels being sown last year), and 

 by planting of rooted poplar, spacing five feet by five feet. 



The above treatment is successful in the main, but usually, there are small 

 areas throughout which must be given further attention — the application of 

 straw and brush and planting. 



Poplar and willow cuttings are also planted, 65,000 being used last year. 

 This type of tree is not as successful, as a rule, as the rooted poplar, but helps 

 develop a vegetative cover. 



Treatment as described above is carried on yearly, all stages being a 

 succession of operations. About six to seven acres yearly is completed save for 

 repeated patching up which is always necessary. 



The advance of the sand banks during the past year is negligible and only 

 apparent in isolated spots. 



Fires. 



No fires occurred on the property. The only menace which became apparent 

 was a burning building. A man was delegated to watch the property and to 

 quell any outbreak. 



It has been the practice to place signs and placards at vantage points to 

 warn the public of the fire menace. These signs were made on the premises. 



Animals. 



Nursery beds have had to be protected from the depredation of rabbits. 

 It was necessary to enclose the whole of the transplant area with fine mesh wire. 



