Kink.—On the Reclamation of Sand Wastes. ` 47 
prickly toe-toe (Cyperus ustulatus), and sea spurge ( Euphorbia glauca), all 
of which are abundant on the coast, and in many places may be planted with- 
out subdivision. The sea mallow (Lavatera arborea), of which seeds may be 
collected in the neighbourhood of every New Zealand port, would form a 
valuable addition to the native plants adapted for this purpose. 
In places but little exposed to the wind it would not be absolutely neces- 
sary to introduce shrubs or trees, although such a course offers many 
advantages. The osier and the white willow are well adapted for such 
localities, and may be readily increased by cuttings, so also the weeping 
willow, the sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), the pohutukawa, ngaio, 
and others to be presently mentioned. The best of all known trees for this 
purpose, however, is the pinaster, but plants not more than one or two years 
old should be used ; in the latter case they should have been transplanted the 
first year. 
But the process is not quite so simple in localities exposed to the full 
action of the wind: here it is imperative at the outset to provide temporary 
protection by covering the surface with branches of evergreens, straw, rushes, 
reeds, etc.; or by erecting a stout wattled fence ; by thatched hurdles; or, best 
of all, by a fence of close boards. In not a few spots it will be necessary both 
to erect the fence and to cover the surface with branches, or the most available 
substitute. 
It is obvious that under such circumstances planting cannot be undertaken 
to any great extent, and must be restricted to spots where it is absolutely 
necessary, and to such objects as creeping-rooted grasses, etc., some of which 
will not only endure the diminished amount of light and air caused by the 
overlying branches, but will, for a time, derive considerable benefit. But as 
grasses alone, even if thoroughly established in such exposed situations, would 
soon become buried by the moving sand, it will be necessary to employ trees 
and shrubs to a large extent; and these can only be established by sowing, 
which is happily the most economie method. The most effective plan would 
be to commence at high-water mark, and erect a fence, as already suggested, at 
right angles to the prevailing wind; thento sow a belt with the seeds selected, 
which should be immediately covered with overlapping branches of evergreen 
trees, lightly pegged down, or secured with stones. The width of the belt must 
depend upon the violence of the wind, degree of exposure, etc. ; but too much 
should not be attempted at once. This belt of itself would, in a short period, 
form a shelter for another belt, and so on until the entire area was reclaimed. 
The best mixture I can suggest for general purposes of this kind in the 
Colony is: ” 
11b. broom (Spartium scoparium ). 
1 Ib. pinaster ( Pinus pinaster ). 
