EMBANKMENTS. 



215 



be of a large size, and set in edgewise, and the lowest stones should 

 be imbedded in the bed of the river, as shown at a. They should 



FIG. 82. 



be carried up to such a height as will keep them fully two feet above 

 the highest flood-mark. A facing of this description will be suffi- 

 cient to protect the banks in any case, but may not be sufficient to 

 keep the water from overflowing into lands adjoining when floods occur. 

 Even small streams or rivulets winding through an estate or farm may 

 at times do a great amount of damage to arable land along their course, 

 if banks are not formed to confine the water. All streams, certainly, do 

 not require this, but there are many which are very suddenly flooded in 

 the winter season, caused by snow melting on the high ground. In a 

 case of this kind, the first thing to ascertain is, the point which 

 the water reached at the highest flood within the recollection of those 

 at the place, and then consider at what distance the banks should be 

 made from the usual water-edge. As I have already stated, it is much 

 better policy to sacrifice a piece of land, and give ample room between 

 the banks and the river, as of course it gives the water more surface, 

 and therefore it will not rise so high as if the banks were made close to 

 the edge of the water, thus confining the space. But the nature, size, 

 and character of the stream must be taken into account in arranging 

 this point. The height of the banks must be regulated by the height to 

 which the water reached when at its highest flood, and the banks should 

 be made at least eighteen inches higher than that point. 



Having arranged these points, the line of the bank should next be 

 laid out ; and care must be taken, in doing this, that, where there are turns, 

 either convex or concave, on the side next the water there should not in 

 any case be any sharp turns and sudden points, as these will present 

 obstacles to the water. All the turns should be made with fine gentle 

 sweeps, and quite unbroken in any way. 



The work should be commenced by lifting any sods or turfs which 

 may be along the Hue, and laying them to one side, and these should be 

 kept to lay over the bank when completed. Stakes and pins should 



