The Clearing of Water 193 



but as soon as they reached the water in a ditch 

 their roots penetrated the soft mud. Experience 

 indicated that the results obtained by appUcations 

 of grass and weed destroyers in the dry season 

 were better than similar treatment in the wet 

 season. In some instances Bermuda grass was 

 planted, or encouraged, in order to replace and 

 kill other grasses and plants that grow taller and 

 are more troublesome and costly to control. 



When it was ptu-posed to use lands near settle- 

 ments in the Canal Zone for reservoirs, etc., 

 the edges were cleared of vegetation and debris, 

 before the water rose, and the grass was cut very 

 short just above and below the proposed water 

 surface elevations. All dead vegetable matter on 

 the ground to be flooded that might float on the 

 water surface was collected and burned. 



As a result we had bodies of water that were 

 relatively free from floating timber, sticks, leaves, 

 debris, etc., and with edges in a condition that 

 allowed oil or larvacide to be rapidly and economi- 

 cally applied whenever and wherever necessary. 

 Near small or temporary camps where conditions 

 did not warrant much expenditiire of ftmds, the 

 trees in lagoons and flooded areas were not removed. 

 Under the above conditions it was found best 



to remove brush, grass, and- floating sticks and 

 13 



