388 ROMNEY MARSH.

if not, roots, cuttings, and seeds of every tree and shrub should be tried, until the right one is discovered. For coppice wood, growing on the tops of the mounds, would not only increase their power of shelter, and bind them together with their roots, but would afford fagot wood, at least, for the embankment; and thus enable the Marsh lands to contribute to their own defence.

On the sides of the mounds, the black thorn might be propagated, either by roots or seeds, with certainty; and, probably, with a doubly good effect; as tending to bind and guard the face of the bank;* and as affording that supply of natural food, which, as has been hinted, may be essen- tial to the health of sheep.t

To prevent them from climbing the mound, coping turves, and brushwood over hanging the face of it, should be used: this being a species of guard, which is found effectual, not only on the new mound fences

* See WEstT OF ENGLAND, MIn: 12. on this par- ticular.

+ See note page 326.

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