FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 411 



between stakes which are driven at short intervals into the ground. It is not necessary 

 to describe these works in detail — they are all simply devices to protect the surface of 

 the soil from the action of the wind until the young forest is able to perform this 

 function and take care of itself. 



Along the shores of oceans where there is a constant supply of sand brought inland 

 by the winds, an artificial dune to cut off this supply is necessary. The wind is able 

 to move the sand along the surface, but unable to lift it up over this artificial dune. 

 In the Eastern United States, where the prevailing winds are west winds, which if not 

 obstructed blow the sand back into the sea, there is little danger lurking in these sand- 

 dunes in comparison to the shores of the Bay of Biscay, where villages were buried 

 and the whole country called the Landes rendered practically uninhabitable in con- 

 sequence of their presence. 



The condition of the Landes was directly due to the immense dunes which arrayed 

 themselves in lines along the shore of the Bay of Biscay. They moved inland and 

 covered villages, and clogged up rivers and inlets. The rain which fell in the Landes 

 was unable to escape into the ocean. It banked up behind the dunes and flooded large 

 areas. During Roman times these sand masses were wooded and stable, but, in the 

 hands of the French peasants, they were stripped and rendered mobile. The damage 

 done by these moving sands so increased that the Government officials studied the 

 work and devised and executed plans ; and now, thanks to De Villers, Chambrelent and 

 Bremontier, the pioneer workers, the Dunes and Landes are covered with a beautiful 

 growth of the Maritime pine. The region is now a famous health resort, combining 

 the beauties and pleasures of the seashore with those of a well-managed pine forest, 

 extending almost to the edge of the ocean. 



Other industries have started, the people have improved, and the country is more 

 fruitful and beautiful, so that, through the agency of trees, a new province has been 

 practically added to France. 



The prosperous condition of this country is due to the pine trees which hold the 

 sand and to the littoral dune which prevents fresh supplies from coming from the 

 ocean. The safety of the country is due to this artificial dune, and the stability of 

 this artificial dune is due to the gourbet or beach-grass. 



A littoral dune was constructed straight along the shore from the mouth of the 

 Gironde to Bayonne. It is simply a bank of sand of certain dimensions, with a certain 

 slope suited to the condition of affairs. This protective, or littoral dune, is formed as 

 follows : a double fence is constructed of brush, or of palisades driven in the sand. 

 This stops the sand which comes from the ocean. Soon a ridge of sand forms, equal 

 in height to the fence A double fence is used, as it gives breadth to the dune, and 

 stops the sand which blows through the fence on the ocean side. As soon as a 



