SAND-DRIFT PROBLEM IN. NEW SOUTH WALES. 87 
feet) from high water level to form an artificial hill, which is high 
enough to arrest the forward movement of the sand, and this is 
done by the construction of an artificial dune, generally called 
the “littoral dune.” With this object in view a continuous line 
of paling is erected, consisting of planks about 6 feet long by 6 
inches wide, 1 inch thick and pointed at the lower end. The 
planks are inserted into the ground to about half their length, an 
inch apart, the direction of the line being parallel to the coast. 
Against this fence the sand is deposited, a certain portion being 
forced through the interstices and coming to rest in the compara- 
tively quiet air immediately behind the paling. As soon as the 
accumulation of sand approaches the upper ends of the planks, they 
are pulled up about 3 feet by means of levers, and this process is 
repeated until the artificial dune has reached such a height that 
no sand can be carried over the top. Simultaneously with the 
first erection of the paling, a wattle fence is placed at a convenient 
distance behind it, to prevent the sand which has passed through 
the paling from being carried inland ; when the first wattle fence 
has been entirely covered, a fresh one is made to replace it. In 
this way the dune is forced to adopt a moderate slope on both 
sides, which is essential to its permanent maintenance.” 
Although even this modified method has been to some 
extent superseded by that of M. Grandjean, to be referred 
to presently, I think it should be followed to some extent 
in special cases, e.g., at Bondi and Newcastle. 
In M. Grandjean’s method only Marram grass is used as 
a rule, but fascine work is employed in cases where neglect 
or accident renders this necessary. The Marram grass is 
elastic and is used as a substitute for the more elaborate 
system of fascines, palings, etc., already described. The 
grass is freely planted in rows and the direction and close- 
ness of the rows are modified according to circumstances. 
This method cannot readily be described in detail and must 
be undertaken by the expert forester or gardener, who will 
regulate his plantings according to the encroachments of 
