Alexandria Gazette

To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette.

The Engineer of the Alexandria Canal, in his report relative to the Canal embankment at Four Mile Run, alludes to a fact that has probably struck every passer-by, that the new embankment requires something to protect it from washing; and he recommends the sowing of grass seed as a partial preventive. The interest which I feel in the work induces me to suggest to the Company, through the medium of your Gazette, the planting of young trees and wild shrubbery on the sides of the embankment, in addition to the grass seed. I am led to believe this would have a material influence for several reasons;—the grass seed alone might probably be washed off and lost; but the roots of the trees and shrubs, being more deeply embedded, would not be: and, by taking root, these would form in a short time a firm body all over the embankment. What is it but this which prevents the sides of abrupt hills and mountains from washing? This has been proved to be the best, if not the only effective, mode of stopping the same operation in gullies: and, indeed, we have an example on the very spot, in the road embankment, where it has been of material advantage.

The sycamore, the paper mulberry, the willow, the aspen, and some others of the most prolific nature, would best suit such a use.

B. O.