468 



THE NETHERLANDS. 



drainage of tlie Haarlemer Meer (Fig. 261). That mere had been for centuries a 

 source of danger to the surrounding country. It covered 45,230 acres. The first 

 steam-engine was erected in 1842, and in the course of thirty-nine months, aided 

 by two other engines, it pumped out 32,668 million cubic feet of water. The 



Fig. 263. — The Proposed Drainage of the Zuider Zee. 

 Scale 1 : 710,000. 



mm 



Banks whieh 

 uncover. 



10 Miles. 



drainage of the mere cost £960,000 ; the land reclaimed was sold for £800,000 ; 

 but it now annually produces crops valued at £240,000. 



A beginning has been made to reclaim the icadden, or mud-banks, along 

 the coast of Friesland. A dyke 6 miles long already joins the island of Ame- 

 land to the mainland, and after the westerly currents shall have deposited a 



