232 CONSOLIDATION OP DRIFTING SANDS. 



in the same direction as the wind, but with the lower end turned 

 towards the wind, which will then blow over the covering without 

 getting caught under it and disturbing it, 



II. By means of twigs spread evenly over the ground and kept 

 in place with a shovelful of sand thrown over each. 



III. By means of some long strong wiry grass spread over the 

 ground in the same manner as the twigs. 



IV. When there is sufficient moisture, by means of sods of turf 

 arranged as represented in Fig 78. 



Whatever the method of covering employed, it is evident that 

 it should be put down immediately after the sowing and planting 

 has been effected. And it is also evident that so long as no woody 

 growth has established itself, the areas must be rigidly closed to 

 grazing and every kind of trespass, traffic being confined to definite 

 lines, where special precautions, such as the planting of a hedge, 

 erection of fences, &c., should be adopted to keep the soil fixed. 

 The same precautions must be taken in the case of inland drifting 

 sands also. 



2. Inland Dunes. 



With respect to the consolidation of drifting sands in the interior, 

 some experience has already been gained in the two small tracts 

 near the city of Jeypur in Rajputana. The first of these 

 (Amanishah) was under flourishing cultivation until the weir across 

 the river close by was breached and the water level in it suddenly 

 fell about 20 feet. The result of this catastrophe was that the al- 

 most pure, fine sand that formed the soil and had been held together 

 by the moisture and the crops, began to drift before the winds from 

 the south and invade the city. Every year the sand accumulated 

 up against and topped the lofty city walls, and had to be cleared 

 away with enormous expenditure of labour. In a word the whole 

 city was threatened to be buried under it. In 1869 Dr. (now Sir) 

 D. Brandis advised the local authorities, to plant forest. After 

 numerous trials the following plan promises to be completely success- 

 ful : First of all enclose the area rigidly against man and beast, 

 put down tufts of the panni grass (Saccharum Sara) at intervals 

 of 1' x 5' where the soil is quite bare and 1' x 10' where there is 

 already some vegetation. In three or four years the sand will be 

 able to resist the strongest winds, being traversed by a dense net- 

 work of roots several feet deep. So long as the area is kept closed, 

 no further measure is necessary ; but for complete consolidation 

 tree-planting is indispensable. With this view cuttings of sissu 



