The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-09
THE DRIFTING SANDS.

1t happens that a considerable part of
the City and County of San Francisco is
represented by shifting acres of sand,
which have been cast up by the Pacific
and which disturb the stability of real
estate in the acres fronting on the ocean.
| For many years the private owners of this
property, in order to make an appearance
of offering something reasonable for sale,
have been trying to keep their lots from
drifting away. To correct local aberra-
| tons such weeds as buffalo grass and
| others have been employed. But in spite
of all the exertions of private landowners
it is wise man who knows that his lot
| west of Central avenue, whether north or
south of the park, will remain in place be-
tween his going to sleep and his awaking.
The latest report from the State Depart
ment of consular reports informs US of
the following matters: "How do the HoI-
landers prevent the blowing and shifting
of sand in sandy districts? This question,
put by an American citizen, have care
fully investigated. Leading Dutch author
tiles on the subject suggest three means
% planting kind of broom botanical
name Arundo arenaria, or Psamma are
naria), which has for years been success
fully employed on the dunes (sand banks
heaved up by the ocean, along the west
coast of Hollands ~ planting Ammophila
arundinace, or sea reed; (3) planting Ely
mus arenarius, or upright sea-line grass
These are used successfully on the dunes,
and also along the sandy banks of rivers.
The fact that the sand may be salty does
not prevent them from flourishing. While
all these means prevent the blowing and
shifting OF sand in the damp climate of
Holland, the authorities here are not yet
tanned in dry and hot climate"
While all this information is certainly
interesting, and while we are all aware
that the shifting sandlots lying west of the
ridge of hills which traverse the PENN
sula of San Francisco, the main problem
which confronts us is to restrain the shift
ing of sands by building homes upon the
unstable areas. There is nothing SO sure
to keep a lot from travelling as a house
erected on it.
In the good time coming the whole of
the peninsula of San Francisco will be a
nest of homes. 1t may be the part of
wisdom for those VINO own the shifting
areas to plant such grasses as will serve to
define present ownership. and hence the
suggestions here given may prove useful.
But lying beyond all such considerations
is the fact that the whole of the peninsula
of San Francisco will in time be valuable
for homes. and that the shifting sands
should be limited to those who happen to
own the property.
Up to the present time the development
of the various popular residence districts
of San Francisco seems to have been more
of a fad than calm and educated express
sion of a preference. 1t is true that South
Park and Rincon Hill may have lost their
glory because of insufficient sewage; but
against this easily avertible condition may
be mentioned the fact that the residents of
Pacific Heights, however beautiful the view
which they command, have had to contend
with wind that required the wisest pre-
cautions to avoid SILVER. The. residents
of the Mission will say that they are free
from logs and have the blandest climate in
! the State. And so it goes. There seems to
be less philosophy than fashion in the
matter OF our selection of home sites; and