The times., 1901-06-03
TO BIND DRIFTING SANDS
Trees Planted on Sable Island to
Prevent Encroachment.
The Expedition Under the Auspices
of the Cnnndinn Department of
Marine and Fisheries-What 1t Is
Hoped VIII Be Accomplished.


OTTAWA, Ont, June 2-An expedition
to Sable Island, under the auspices of the
Canadian Department of Marine and
Fisheries. which left ottawa on May i
FOR the purpose of making an extensive
experiment in forest tree planting on the
island. has returned to that capital. The
party consisted of DIR. William Saunders
Director of Experimental Farms; Lieu
tenant Colonel Gourdeau. Deputy Minister
of Marine and Fisheries; w. 2. Saunders
of London, Ont, and Thomas Davies, son
of Sir Louis Davies.
The trees to be planted consisted OF
$1,000 in all, and filled eighteen large cases.
These we're selected by DR.. Saunders
when II. Europe last year, from large
tree nursery in Normandy, France Be
fore making the selection he visited IN
conn any with Colonel Gourdeau, the sea-
shores of Brittany, and carefully studied
the results of tree planting there, when
was begun sixty years ago on the drifting
sands of the seacoast. The trees pur-
chased for experimental test on sable
Island included a large number OF those
which have succeeded well in France, TO
which were added number of other Sorts
which from Canadian experience were
thought to be likely to prove useful 1or
this purpose. OF the specimens CHOSEN
6S.OOO were evergreens, consisting OF pines
spruces, and jumpers, and the remaining
13, 900 were made up of different hardy
deciduous sorts.
Sable Island lies about ninety miles on
the coast of Nova Scotia, nearly opposite
Liscomb Harbor: is 1853 miles from Hai-
flax, and is about twenty-one miles long
in the form of a slender open crescent
with the crescent side facing the MAIN
land.
The party reached Halifax on Tuesday
night, and left for the island at p m.
the following day, Wednesday. May TO-
on the Government steamer Minto. AS
soon as the Mimic was seen from the ISL
and a flag was run up by one OF the
watchers on an eminence near the central
station, known as the lookout. in snort
time a large surfboat was launched, and
was on its way to the steamer to bring
the passengers ashore. There is no har-
Dor or sheltered landing place on any part
of the island. and the only way of reach
ing the shore is to ride in on the crest
of the breakers. In this way the vis-
itors reached within a few yards of the
shore, when they were carried to dry
land on the shoulders of some Of the
sturdy officials, and they were soon
housed In the home of the superinten-
dent, r J. Boutellier An additional boat
was then brought into requisition, and re-
peated trips were made to the steamer for
the trees and other freight, and before
dark all was landed, when the steamer
left with the understanding that. weather
permitting, ii was to return on the fol-
lowing Thursday to take the party away.
The visitors were soon busily at work
taking in the situac.on, which was full
of novelty and interest. The island is a
singular formation, the larger part con-
sisting of bluffs of white sand, varying
in height from twenty-five to one hun
dred feet, much of which is partly held
together by the roots of sand binding
grass (Ammophila repens), while consid-
cradle areas are covered with loose sand,
which is blown about by the strong winds
which prevail there, and hence the-con-
fguration OF the surface is ever chang
ing. Large flocks of sea birds were seen
in all directions, and numbers of seals
bobbing their heads above water on every
hand.
AS soon as the forest trees were un-
packed and heeled in, sites were selected
for the planting, and this work was be-
gun. One of the sites chosen was appar-
entity pure sand, partly covered with the
sand binding grass already referred to
This was the top of a prominent cliff,
where the trees would be partially pro-
tected from winds, and readily seen from
many different points. AT this place sew
eral thousand trees were planted.
Three other sites for tree planting were
selected near the house Of the superinten-
dent large garden belonging to the
central station was partly filed with
over 1000 specimens. smong which are in
cluded number OF varieties of small
fruits sent from the Central Experimental
Farm at Ottawa.
A day was spent iE a general survey
of the island. and suitable locations were
chosen for the planting of the remainder
OF the trees. Full Instructions were left
with the superintendent-who is eminent
ly qualified FOR his wOrk-for the contin-
uation of the planting, and he has under
taken TO complete the work rapidly
as possible with the men at his disposal.
About 10000 trees in all were planted be-
fore the party left the island
IL this experiment is successful the
trees will materially help in holding the
soil together, ND Will also assist in max
ing the island more distinctly visible from
a distance.
The sea has made great inroads on the
west end of the island and has within
washed away several miles Of that end,
which has made necessary the removal of
the lighthouse twice within fifteen years.
Early surveys give the length of the
island as about forty miles. Now it is
but little more than half this length.
Dangerous shoals extend on all sides, and
the strong ocean currents which set in
about the island often carry vessels out
of their course. Add TO this the preva-
lence of fogs, which obscure the land, and
there is a combination of dangerous sur
which have resulted I'm the de-
Struction of many good ships and the loss
of hundreds of lives.
AT its widest parts the island is more
than mile across. The middle is occu-
pied by a lagoon of salt water known as
Lake Wallace, which at some points
takes up nearly one-half the width of the
island, and which extends for nearly half
its length. A break has occurred in the
south bar, through which the sea now
enters in considerable volume.
Ia early times many wrecks took place
on this island. The first of these is rec
orded as IN 1853, when the Admiral a yes
sci in the navy of Queen Elizabeth. was
wrecked here and nearly 100 lives lost
Up to February, 1893. no less than 170
known wrecks had occurred. 1t has been
truly said that mo other island on this
globe can show so appalling record of
shipwreck and disaster" Along the
shores on both sides of the island the re-
mains of wrecks are seen. The most