AND PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND. 31 



I ion works have been executed the land is still submerged by 

 very high tide, and though this is not found to injure it 

 for pasture, it renders it quite unavailable for tillage without 

 orks specially constructed to afford protection from floods, and 

 rovide for effectual drainage. The erection of all such works 

 not be too carefully considered, and even after they have 

 n constructed they have to be closely watched, and are 

 often kept in repair at a constantly recurring expenditure. 

 The remarks I have made at page 9 regarding the construc- 

 tion of river flood embankments apply generally to those for 

 reclamation, and I need not repeat them here ; but the cross 

 section of such works must, of course, in all cases be regulated 

 by the exposure. 



In making estuarial reclamations, it is of importance to 

 determine how soon marsh land may be considered fit for 

 enclosure, and on this point my experience leads me to conclude 

 that it is in general inexpedient to attempt to enclose land by 

 permanent banks until, by gradual deposit and subsequent accu- 

 mulation due to the decay of vegetable matter, its surface has 

 reached about the level of high water of ordinary spring tides. 

 I do not say it may not be done before this level is reached, for 

 land has, within my own knowledge, been enclosed at a con- 

 iderably lower level on some parts of the Tay, where the 

 arshes covered by reeds in sheltered places were found to be fit 

 r enclosure, though covered to the extent of from 3 to 4 feet 

 high water, and on the Forth still lower slob lands have 

 n inclosed. But, as a general rule, it is safe to assume 

 at the higher the level of the land the greater is the chance 

 of profitable reclamation. The inducement to place a protect^ 



