66 PRACTICAL NOTES ON GRASSES AND GRASS GROWING. 
we will consider what could be done in the way of improving 
low-lying marshes, swamps, and bogs. 
The difficulties to be surmounted in the matter of this kind 
are, as a rule, considerable, ‘The first step is a careful survey 
of the land proposed to be dealt with. 
Regarding the reclamation of the East Anglian “ flats” or 
“meal meshes,” such as are to be observed round our coast 
line near Wells-next-the-Sea, we do not propose to treat. It 
would form a subject in itself, and would hardly come under 
our present heading. ‘These flats were very aptly described 
by a writer in the Spectator (November 16th, 1895), as “ The 
moorlands of the sea; unique, lovely, like nothing in nature 
but themselves, and their most general title is the least 
misleading.” Qur intention is to confine ourselves more 
particularly to inland swamps, and to give notes of our 
personal observation. 
Having surveyed the land, the map is marked where it is 
considered practical to make walls, and to cut dykes or 
drainage ditches. In making walls it may be necessary to pile, 
or to cut a trench and “ puddle in” with tenacious soil, as 
few walls are of effectual service unless a foundation of some 
kind is found or artificially constructed. In some cases it is 
advisable to avoid certain spots, or make a detour where the 
land that would be inclosed would probably not be worth the 
cost of inclosing. If the wall is made without touching a 
solid sub-soil the work may prove to be labour in vain where 
water is the boundary line, for when a storm arises and 
a heavy pressure is brought to bear upon the wall on a lee 
shore, the whole wall may in places lift and be washed away 
like a bunch of feathers. Where retentive soil cannot be 
found on which to place a foundation, an artificial one must 
be constructed, and a rib of good holding matter, such as 
chalk or clay, puddled into the centre of the wall; a row of 
willows is a good addition if planted near to the sides of the 
