EMBANKMENTS. 



219 



Fio. 84. 



the lower portions have been washed away, the upper parts fall down, 

 and thus there is a continual washing away of the banks. This may be 

 prevented by sloping the banks back, 

 as shown in fig. 84. 



The slope should be made, as 

 shown from a to b, down to the sur- 

 face of the water. This work should 

 be done early in the season, and either 

 covered with sods sown down with 

 grass-seeds, or banked up with stones. 

 If grasses are sown, Poa nemoralis 

 or Poa pratensis should be used, as the roots grow thick and help to 

 bind the bank together. That portion of the bank, as shown from b to 

 c, where the water is supposed to have washed away, should be filled in 

 with small stones, and a layer of larger ones put on the top. 



' The Book of Farm- Buildings ' has the following on this subject : 

 " We give a section " (fig. 85) " of a form of embankment recommended 

 by Mr Johnstone, for low ground on the side of rivers. The slope of the 



FIG. 85. 



6 ttl 



embankment towards the river from a to c should be longer than that 

 of the land side, as from b to d. The base of an embankment, as 

 a d, should be three times its height, as / m ; the width b c at top 

 one-third of the height I m. The distance of the foot a of embank- 

 ment from the river, as the distance a k, is shown in the figure 

 at ten feet ; and all trees, brushwood, &c., should be removed from 

 the space, as these may shake the earth and render it loose, and give 

 admission to the water. The earth to form the embankment should be 

 taken from the land side, none from the river ; this obviates the neces- 

 sity of breaking and loosening the surface next the river. The earth 

 may be taken from adjoining heights, or from the ditch h gf, which is 

 formed at the back of the embankment to lead the surface-water 

 from the field. A paling or fence e should be put up at the outer 

 side of the scarcement d e, to prevent cattle from going up and 

 trampling upon the embankment, until it be consolidated and well 



