Wattling, an assemblage of fascines, faggots, and willow shoots arranged between two piles of stakes or forming layers six feet wide intermingled with layers of soil.

Wattling is necessary when soil is too damp or loose: it strengthens turf banks of which the bases would otherwise collapse. When the bank is quite steep, a layer of soil one foot high is placed at the base followed by a layer of fascines or wattling six feet wide. The sticks should be set against each other, with the broad ends and roots facing the bank and coming to within approximately one foot of the facing. They are covered with a layer of soil and the process is repeated until the top of the bank is reached. The wattling is then covered with half a foot of soil and turfed. See Turf.