New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
PART III.
TEN PAGES.
TO BIND DRIFTING SANDS.
EIGHTY-ONE THOUSAND TREES PLANT
ED on SABLE ISLAND TO WITH
STAND ENFORCEMENT OF
WIND AND SEA.

tree planting on the island, has returned to that
capital The party consisted of DR. William Saun-
ders, Director Of Experimental Farms; Lieutenant
Colonel GOurdeaU, Deputy Minister of Marine and
Fisheries; ". L. Saunders, of London, Ont and
Thomas Davies. son Of Sir Louis Davies
The trees 10 be planted consisted Of 81 500 in ALL
and filled eighteen large cases. These were Sc
lected by Dr. Saunders. when in Europe last year
from a large tree nursery in Normandy France
Before making the selection he visited in company
with Colonel Gourdeal, the seashores of Brittany
and carefully studied results Of tree planting
there, which was begun sixty years ago on the
drifting sands Of the seacoast. The trees pur-
chased for experimental test on Sable Island in
Guided large number Of those which have sue
oeeded well in France, to which were added a num-
ber Of other sorts which from Canadian expert
ence thought TO be likely to prove useful for
this purpose. OF the specimens chosen 6s 600 were
eversroens. consisting of pines. spruces and ju-
nipers ana the remaining 1900 made up Of
different hardy 6eciduous Sorts.
Sable Island about ninety miles off the coast
OF Nova Scotia, nearly opposite Iiscomb Harbor;
IS l55 miles from Halifax, and is about twenty-one
miles long, in the form Of slender open crescent
with the crescent side facing the mainland.
LANDING THE PASSENGERS.
The party reached Halifax on Tuesday night. and
left for the island p. m. the following day
"Wednesday May 10 on the government steamer
Minto. AS soon as the Mimic was seen from the
island flag up by Of the watchers
an eminence near the central station. known
the lookout. In a short time large SurfbOat was
launched, and was on its way 10 the steamer TO
bring the passengers ashore. There is no harbor
sheltered landing place on any part Of the ISL
and. and the only way OF reaching the shore is to
ride in the crest Of the breakers In this way
the visitors reached within few yards Of the
shore. when they carried to dry land on the
shoulders Of OF the sturdy officials and they
were soon housed in the home OF the superIn-
tendent. r. J. Boutellier. An additional boat was
then brought into requistion, and repeated trips
4g,o
freight, and before dark all was landed, when the
steamer left with the understanding that. weather
permitting it was return the following
Thursday TO take the party away.
The visitors soon busily at work taking in
The situation. which full Of novelty and inter
est The island is singular formation the larger
part consisting Of bluffs Of white sand. varying in
height from twenty-five 70 one hundred feet, much
OF which is partly held together by the roots OF
sand binding grass (Ammophila repens while con-
siderable covered with loose sand, which
is blown about by the strong winds which prevail
there and hence the confguration OF the surface is
ever changing. Large hocks Of sea birds were seen
in all directions, and numbers OF seals bobbing
their heads above water on every hand.
rs soon the forest trees unpacked and
heeled in sites selected for the planting. and
this work begun one Of the sites chosen
apparently pure sand, partly covered with the
sand binding grass already referred 10. This was
the top of prominent cliff. where the trees would
be partially protected from winds. and readily
from many different points. At this place several
thousand trees were planted.
TEN THOUSAND PLANTED.
Three other sites for planting were selected
the house OF the superintendent. A large
garden belonging to the central station partly
filed with over two thousand specimens, among
which are included a number Of varieties OF small
fruits sent from the Central Experimental Farm
at Ottawa.
A cay was spent in a general survey of the ISL
and. and suitable locations were chosen for the
planting OF the remainder Of the trees. Full in
structions were left with the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
is eninenty qualified for his Work-for the
tinuation OF the planting and he has undertaken
complete the work rapidly possible with
the al his disposal About ten thousand trees
IN all planted before the party left the island.
II this experiment is successful, the trees will
materially help in holding the soil together. and
will also assist in making the island more distinct
y visible from a distance
The has made great inroads the west end
Of the island. and has. within the memory Of the
present residents washed away several miles OF
that end, which has made ,essary the removal
of the lighthouse twice within fifteen years. Early
surveys give the length OF the island about forty
miles. Now II Is but little more than half this
length. Dangerous shoals extend all sides,
and the strong ocean currents which in about
the island often carry vessels out Of their course
A6d 10 this the prevalence of fogs which obscure
the land. and there is a combination OF dangerous
surroundings which have resulted in the destruc-
lion Of many good ships and the loss Of hundreds
Al its widest parts the island is more than mile
Water known as Lake Wallace which AZ some
points takes up nearly one-haIf the width of the
length break has occurred in the south bar
through which the now enters in considerable
volume.
AK APPALLING RECORD.
In early times many wrecks took place this
island The first Of these is recorded in 15s3
when the Admiral. vessel in the navy OF Queen
Elizabeth WAS wrecked here and nearly hun
drcd lives lost. Up 10 February, 1929, less than
10 known wrecks had occurred 1t has been truly
said that NO other island this globe show
50 appalling a record of shlpwreck and disaster"
Along the shores on both sides Of the island the
remains Of wrecks are seen. The most prominent
of these at present is the Crofton Hall, good
sized iron vessel, which was wrecked some three or
four years ago, and is now embedded in the sand
bar at the eastern extremity Of the island.
The apralIine loss OF life and property which
occurred in this dangerous spot led TO the estab-
lshment there OF life saving stations. These were
organized by the government OF Nova Scotia in
isI and maintained by that province until con-
federation. when this service was undertaken by
The Dominion. The British Government con-
tributes 500 q year toward the cost OF carrying
this good work There are excellent lfeboats and
other modern life saving apparatus at the central
and TWO other stations on the island as Wen as
two substantial lighthouses and one other smaller
lookout establis hment making a total OF six sta
lions All these are connected with the central
station by telephone There eighteen men In
all IN the service which, with the wives and chill
cren Of those who are married, make up a total @
Population al present OF forty-fve- The men are
distributed among the six stations reterIed 10.
sha; with the aid OF ponies oPahas Oi H atroi
twice q day the whole length Of the island on both
sides reporting by telephone the superintendent
as soon as they have completed their route. When
the weather is clear. and the ocean ana shore can
be scanned with field glass. the actual patrol Is
omitted being unnecessary. and report is mace