THE SWALE 295 



Study 43. Observations on the Plant Life of a Swale 



Some small open area of wet ground, well grown up in wild 

 meadow, undrained, and not pastured, should be selected 

 for this study. An outline map should be provided, unless 

 the form be simple. Digging tools will be needed, and also 

 facilities for washing roots. 



The program of work may consist of: 



1. A general survey of the swale as to : 



(a) The mixing of dry-ground and wet-ground forms at 



its margin. 



(b) The areas into which it is naturally marked out by 



the uniformity of the plant growth covering them 

 ("plant associations") . 



(c) The relation between topography, soils and water and 



these plant associations. 



2. An examination of the plants in several associations 

 as to the relations they bear to one another both above and 

 below ground. Some should be cut so that the leafage may 

 be viewed from the side as well as from above; and some 

 should be dug up, so that the depth and distribution of the 

 roots may be noted. 



The record of this study may consist of : 



1 . A map of the swale, with topographic features and the 

 principal plant associations (including bordering shrubbery) 

 marked out upon it. Explanations to the map should name 

 at least the dominant species present in each association. 



2. Diagrams, illustrating vertical sections of the swale 



herbage, showing the relations of the principal components 



of several associations, both above and below ground. These 



should show how the branches of each species are placed to 



reach the light, and how the roots are distributed in the soil. 



[Note: The above program is laid out in the belief that the study 

 of the swale will be most instructive if we seek to learn how the various 

 members of nature's dense wet-ground population get on together; 

 but if an acquaintance with the entire plant population be desired, the 

 record may take the form of an annotated and illustrated list of species.] 



