214 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



a larger surface than when the banks are closer to each other. The 

 proper position of the embankments depends upon the size and character 

 of the stream. 



In lately embanking a slow-running sluggish river of about fifty yards 

 broad, we formed the banks at a distance of thirty feet from the edge of the 

 usual water-run. In fig. 81 is given a sketch of one bank of the river 



FIG. 81. 



referred to, as shown at a. We commenced operations by removing the 

 soil from the space between the bank and the river, as at b. In doing 

 this, while we were getting a supply of soil for the foundation of the 

 bank, we were also making a larger space for the water inside the 

 banks. 



The banks were made sixteen feet wide at the bottom, and sloped up 

 on each side to a height of five feet in the centre, leaving the top flat, 

 and three feet six inches wide, to form a walk. After the entire embank- 

 ment had been done to this height, levels were taken, so as to see that 

 the whole length of the banks were of an equal level, as compared with 

 the course of the river, and where deficient in this respect, they were 

 raised to the necessary height. In the course of formation the earth was 

 firmly beat down, and when made up to the required size, it was turfed 

 over. The space between the banks and the river was then planted 

 over with willows. The roots of the willow-plants strike quickly, and 

 very soon bind the banks together, and prevent portions of it breaking. 



For the protection of the banks of rivers, rubble facing is sometimes 

 resorted to where stone is plentiful. Very large stones should be 

 employed for this purpose they are not so easily put out of place as the 

 smaller ones. Before laying on the stones, the banks should receive a 

 careful dressing by levelling any inequalities; and with the view of 

 making a good bed for the stones, the slope should be something like an 

 inclination of 2 to 1. The greatest difficulty in making rubble banks is 

 to find a secure footing at the bottom for the stones, for if something is 

 not done to prevent the water from undermining the stones, they will 

 gradually fall down and get displaced. If the soil is of a loose sandy 

 nature, and of a yielding character, the best plan is to protect the work at 

 first by piles, as shown in fig. 82. The piles, as shown, should be kept as 

 low as possible, as they will last much longer if kept constantly under 

 water, and will also be of greater support to the bank. The stones should 



