40 ON THE RECLAMATION 



the low slobs of a sandy shore which has been covered by every 

 tide. Such loose sands, if blowing when dry, should be fixed as 

 soon as possible by any feedable grass that can be made to grow 

 upon them, until a better sward can be produced. On such loose 

 spots the Agrostis maritima, or seaside florin, has grown luxu- 

 riantly, especially when the stolons have been planted in a wet 

 sod of bog turf, and that trodden into the sand. The shoots 

 from these sets have been extremely vigorous ; the cattle have 

 sought and eaten them with avidity ; and the treading thus 

 induced has fixed the sand, whilst the droppings of the cattle, 

 containing the undigested seeds of other grasses, have soon 

 brought up a good sward wherever the drainage was sufficient 

 for its establishment." 



" In such cases of loose sand no tillage can judiciously be con- 

 templated. Such soils are already sufficiently open to part with 

 their excess of saline particles, and are generally sufficiently 

 homogeneous not to require admixture by stirring, unless it be 

 by harrows on the surface to let in the Dutch clover seeds that 

 may, with propriety, be sown thereon, when that brought by 

 cattle shall be permanent enough to show an aptitude in the soil 

 for that plant. These seeds, after being thus sown in moist still 

 weather, should be rolled down, and if the soil has been well 

 drained and freshened, it is more than probable that a good 

 grazing marsh will be established at less expense and in less 

 time than could be effected by any other means, since if the 

 clover thrives, the cattle will lie so constantly on those spots as 

 to enrich them more than any others." 



Mr Wiggins concludes by saying, that " the great and leading 

 points for the guidance of the adventurer in reclaiming his in- 



