TECHNICAL DETAILS	ii?
especially Rumex trigranulatus (seed), Elytnus arenarius (cuttings), Triticum pungens (seed), Lathyrus maritimus (seed), and where sand is present, Arenaria peploides. In front of the Suaeda plantation a belt of Crambe maritima would be distinctly useful. It will be understood that everything helps, and that the more experiments are made the better for the elaboration of a technique. Of especial value would be trials with shrubby plants, such as Hippophce rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn), Willows, such as Salix repens, Lycium barbarum (the “Tea Plant”), &c. The Sea Buckthorn flourishes with us as a dune plant, and it also thrives both in maritime and river shingle. It is important not only as a mechanical agent, but also because (like the Leguminosas) it is one of the root-nodule plants, with power of fixing free nitrogen, and thus fertilizing the ground. A tried plant in holding shingle is Tamarix gallica, and a narrow belt of this should always be planted behind the Sueeda, in districts where the climate is favourable, as on the south and west coasts. A splendid example of the successful employment of Tamarix is to be found on the beach opposite Shoreham, just to the east of the outlet of the harbour. These plants were put out some thirty years ago, and developing thick trunks and adequate root grip have materially strengthened the beach (see Plate XI). For the improvement of the amenities of bungalow settlements and the like on shingle no better plant can be used.1
   During the period of establishment, and with a view to hastening it, the young plantation must from time to time be mulched with a top-dressing of drift from the salt marshes. Eventually this can be discontinued, as the plantation will be self-supporting like a forest.
   In contrast with the direct method of planting, a beach can be treated indirectly by planting the lee edge, or even the ground parallel to the beach but not yet occupied by it. This method closely approximates to the natural operation of Suaeda
     1 In the way of shingle gardening there is no limit to the possibilities. Shingle, humus, and water, in proper combination, form the medium of the now fashionable " Moraine garden”. Alpines for the most part are cultivated in this way, whilst the province of maritime shingle awaits exploration.