110 Š Transactions. 
first line of plantation is made, and reclamation of sand-land proceeds rapidly 
behind it. : 
Cuttings are also made use of, especially of the Tamarix gallica, or 
tamarisk. The topinambour, or Jerusalem artichoke, is also very valuable, 
as also are the larger sun-flowers and the whole tribe of mesembryanthemums. 
The following plants are also worthy of notice, and may be employed with 
great advantage, viz. — Eryngium maritimum, or sea holly; Convolvulus 
soldanella, or sea bineweed ; Glaucium luteum, or yellow-horned poppy ; 
Euphorbia peplis, or purple spurge ; furze, broom, and the sallow, may be also 
sown, though the former is far from advantageous in a plantation of trees, 
choking the young plants. But, for rapidly arresting the march of sand, and 
fixing it, the following plants have been found most efficacious, viz.—Arundo 
arenaria, or sand-reed, known in France as the “ Oyat des Côtes du Nord”; 
Elymus arenarius, or sea grass, and rye grass. The oyat is infinitely superior 
to all the others. The best tree to sow is the Pinus maritima. — 
The season for planting or sowing must be that in which there is the 
greatest continued supply of moisture to allow time for growth of seeds, or 
striking of cuttings. New Zealand I consider peculiarly favourable as to 
climate for the reclamation of such lands. 
I have by me some peculiarly valuable reports of M. Alexandre Adam, 
who undertook,the reclamation of downs in the Pas de Calais on a very large 
scale for the Conseil Général of that department. They were sent me as a 
special favour by M. M. Vilmorin Andrieux, of Paris, who are friends and 
Paris agents of this gentleman. They cover from 1864 to 1869, both years 
inclusive, and are, I am informed by M. Vilmorin, unprocurable now, and 
invaluable from their information. From them I have obtained many of the 
details I have given you. He proceeds by sowing oyats and Pinus maritima, 
and conducts the matter with a view, not only to expenses of reclamation being 
covered, but to the reaping of a large profit. As the pines grow up they are 
thinned out, and forest trees, especially oak, birch, elm, and ash, planted. 
Within the first line of plantation seeds of these trees are sown together with 
the eyats and pines, 
I may add that the poplar is found very valuable, both for sowing, 
planting, and multiplying by cuttings. In some places, where the sand was 
very deep and dry, M. Adam found that instead of sowing it was preferable to 
take large cuttings of poplar, set them one yard deep in the sand and two 
yards apart every way ; these almost invariably struck, even on the highest 
sandhills, and in the most exposed situations where nothing else would grow. 
I trust this information will be found of service, and that some grounds 
may have been shown for urging on the Legislature the importance of 
following the example of the French legislature, who, by their wise action, 
