134 
Journal of the Mitchell Society [. December 
deeply, while in the case of planted trees, the sand cuts the leaves 
and bark or buries the plants. It will therefore be necessary to 
hold the sand in place by some mechanical covering until the trees 
have developed and formed a natural cover. 
The work of fixation is thus divided into two stages: (1) Pre- 
liminary, holding the sand in place. (2) Permanent, establish- 
ing a forest. Upon the coast strip the work never proceeds beyond 
the first stage and the maintenance of a grass cover will require 
constant care. 
The Coast Strip and the Barrier Dune . — The coast strip and the 
barrier dune should be handled in such a way that the surface of 
the strip may not jeopardize the stability of the dune. It is 
obvious that the first work is the proper formation of the dune. 
This is done by rapidly accumulating blowing sand so as to form 
a long ridge. For this purpose, palisade fences arranged in a dou- 
ble row 6 feet apart are used. Each fence should be made of inch 
boards 6 inches wide and 5 feet long, driven about two feet into 
the sand. The tops of the fences should be of equal height and 
the palings should be four inches apart. Such an arrangement of 
fences allows the wind to pass through, but reduces its velocity 
and hence sand is deposited within and on both sides. 
As the sand accumulates to the tops of the fences, the palings 
should be raised and, when the dune has reached a height of 30 
feet, sea oats ( Uniola Paniculatd) should be planted 3 feet apart 
alternating in rows three feet apart, parallel to the crest of the 
dune. The grass should be planted on both sides of the dune and 
gradurlly extended toward the windward until the dune attains a 
fairly permanent form with a gradual slope toward the windward, 
while on the leeward side the slope will be approximately 30° . 
The successive steps in the formation of the barrier dune is shown 
in the series of diagrams accompanying the report (Plate I). 
The barrier dune, when completed, will protect the area in the 
lee but will require constant care tc keep it in proper condition. 
Every precaution should be taken to prevent a break in the dune 
and, if such occurs, it must be repaired immediately, since the 
wind will constantly enlarge the opening. A break may be 
repaired by the simple expedient of piling brush on the surface of 
