igo8] Forestry Problems of N. C. Banks 135 
the blowout and, when the sand has filled in to its former level, 
by replanting grass as before. The main care should be to main- 
tain a good grass cover over the dune and the coast strip. When 
the grass becomes thin in one place, plants should be taken from 
areas where it is thicker than necessary and replanted where 
required. 
Forestation - — The area in the lea of the littoral dune must be 
planted in forest trees to accomplish permanent fixation. Local 
conditions and geographical position of the area to be planted are 
such that proven methods developed in extensive work of this 
character in Europe may be adapted to this project. 
It has been established that the most certain method of securing 
a forest cover on waste sands is by direct sowing of the seed, pro- 
vided that suitable species are available for use in the locality and 
also that the sand be temporarily fixed until the young trees are 
well established. Upon the formation of the barrier dune the 
sands in the lee will be comparatively free from the action of the 
wind, since the dune will protect the area from the southerly 
wind, while the forest will serve as a windward to the north. 
Loblolly pine, a rapid growing species which produces valuable 
timber, grows throughout the banks. Although, owing to the 
exposed situation, the qualiiy of timber produced cannot equal 
that of the forests of the mainland, this tree is by far the most 
desirable commercial species on the banks. 
The proper method of sowing the seed can be determined only 
by experiment. Two methods are suggested, the second to be used 
only when it has been clearly demonstrated that the first is not 
feasable. (1) Sowing the seed directly on the surface. (2) Sow- 
ing the seed after the sand has been temporarily fixed by a light 
covering of brush. 
At the western end of the shore dune, on a strip 500 feet wide 
and extending from the dune to the forest, loblolly pine should be 
sown at the rate of 12 pounds per acre. The seed should be 
sown directly on the surface of the sand without any preparation 
of the site. Although there is good reason to count upon favour- 
able results, there are several possible objections to this method. 
Large quantities of the seed are almost certain to be destroyed by 
