KlEK. — 0')i the Reclamation of Sand WaMes. 47 



prickly toe-toe (Cyjyerus usttdatiisj, and sea spnrge (Euphorbia yhaicaj, all 

 of which are abundant on the coast, and in many places may be planted with- 

 out subdivision. The sea mallow (Lavatera arhorea), 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 pui'pose. 



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 inci-eased by cuttings, so also the weeping 

 willow, the sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoidesj, the pohutukawa, ngaio, 

 and others to be presently mentioned. The best of all known trees for this 

 purpose, however, is the pinastei-, 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 fiill 

 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 economic 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 ; then to 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 : 



1 lb. broom (Spartium scoparium). 

 1 fi). pinaster (Pinus pinaster). 



