Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/558

542 was not carried out. But when Dantzic became part of Prussia, in 1793, the Government took the matter energetically in hand. Burgher Sören-Biörn, who was of Danish birth, recommended the application of Titius's plan, and was intrusted with the redemption of one of the most threatening dunes. Having accomplished this work to the general satisfaction, he was made inspector of plantations, and in this capacity superintended the work till his death in 1819.

Since then, the work of fixing the drift-sands has been begun in several places. As a generally approved preliminary measure, a fore-dune is first formed. This is done by planting between the dune and the sea two parallel fences, about six feet apart, and rising some eight feet above the level of the sea. These structures weaken the force of the sea-winds so much as to cause a considerable proportion of the sand to fall between them, or on either side of them. Thus a dune is formed. It is secured by planting several rows of Arundo arenaria—a grass that can not be buried by sand, because the more it is covered the better it flourishes, throwing out strong roots from below, and even growing in length above. The fore-dune protects the real dune against waves during storms, against a part of the wind, and against a continued overflow of new sand. Time is also gained for providing a covering of plants. First the sand-grasses are planted, then herbage-plants, then heaths and willows, and finally, in the least protected places, trees, of which firs are preferred.

The cultivation of the inland drift-sand is somewhat easier; but in either case it requires continuous, active work. Seeds of suitable sand-plants are sown and covered with limbs, straw, etc., till the resultant growth has become strong enough to stand against the wind. The ground is gradually improved by means of these plants, till at a later period useful plants can be cultivated, and the former desert can be turned into tillable land or wood. The conversion is, indeed, a tedious process, but the result is profitable.—Translated for the Popular Science Monthly from Das Ausland.

people of New Zealand are proud of the assiduity with which science is cultivated in that colony, and of its scientific literature. The New Zealand Institute is helped by a government grant. Under the provision of its act of incorporation, that any local society having fifty members can claim the right of affiliation with it, and of participation in its funds and privileges, the various scientific circles have been brought into communication with one another, and a friendly rivalry has been promoted. The twenty volumes of the "Transactions and Proceedings" of the Institute are filled with valuable memoirs on almost every scientific subject. A number of "Students' Manuals," issued at moderate cost, have had a salutary influence in interesting the young in science.