SAND-DRIFT PROBLEM IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 91 
reverse direction to those of Western France. The soil of 
the Landes is nearly pure silica, while underneath in places 
is an impermeable substratum of ferruginous sandstone, 
locally known as “‘alios,’’ usually from 9 to 15 inches thick 
and at adepth of 10 inches to 2 feet below the surface, 
We know this to our cost at the Centennial Park, Sydney, 
an area which gives one much experience of sand planting. 
Speaking generally, I do not doubt that the “soil”’ con- 
ditions are much the same on the coasts of France and 
New South Wales. 
In the vicinity of cities, e.g., Sydney and Newcastle, the 
soil may be more or less enriched, without much expense, 
over limited areas; this is of course a local circumstance. 
If opportunities be watched, soil can sometimes be obtained 
for little more than cartage. EHven if grass alone be 
required, it will be found that it is advantageous to top- 
dress it with soil, while arrangements should be made to. 
secure all the available manure in the vicinity, and top- 
dress with it. It is a matter of common observation that 
many people allow the manure of horses and cows to go to 
waste, and some of them would even cart it free for some 
little distance, particularly if the municipal by-law in regard 
to the storage of manure in confined areas were rigidly pu 
in operation. A small area of ground could be set apart 
at the sand-drift for the storage and rotting of such manure, 
and it could be applied to the grass and plantation when 
convenient. 
But where soil is not available, ashes, shale and other 
débris may be useful (at least for forming a covering of 
grass). Adjoining the sand-drift at Newcastle, the Aus- 
tralian Agricultural Company are the owners of a consider- 
able block of land, which is used for colliery purposes. The 
Company has for a considerable time been in the habit of 
depositing shale and worthless coal on a large area of this 
