502 [Senate 



early frost is anticipatedj and withdrawn in the morning without injury 

 to the plants, need have no fear of failure in their crops. 



The time to harvest the cranberry is generally from the first to the 

 middle of September. They are gathered with rakes made expressly 

 for the purpose ; one man gathering from 30 to 40 bushels per day, 

 witli the assistance of a boy to collect the scattering berries. They 

 grow to double the size of those in the wild state, of much better fla- 

 vor, and command in market 30 or 40 per cent more than the others. 

 I shall have plants to supply those who wish in the spring. 



With much respect, 



SULLIVAN BATES. > 



JAMES EWBANK'S METHOD OF CULTIVATING ISABEL- 

 LA GRAPES. 



Flushing, JYov. 24th, 1845, 



I plant my vines in an ordinary soil, and pay but little attention to 

 the ground culture. 



My vines are planted against a house, and have a southern exposure, 

 the building protecting them from the northeast and northwest storms. 

 For several years past I have had abundant crops of well-ripened fruit, 

 and from observation am inclined to think that the fertility of my 

 vines is attributable to position more than character of the soil ; and 

 above all to -the high training, which is some twenty feet upright, and 

 then horizontally over an arbor, which gives the vine a free circulation 

 of air and light. I have noticed that all vines yield better the farther 

 the fruit spears are from the roots, if due attention is paid to elevat- 

 ing the vine, so that light and air have free access beneath. I in- 

 variably prune later than is the custom of my neighbors, and not until 

 the sap runs freely, say in March, or according to the condition of the 

 season. 



I am of opinion that the grape should be trained high as possible in 

 an upright position, say twenty feet, and then horizontally towards the 

 south, and no fruit be permitted to grow upon the upright part of the 

 vine. The greater height the vine has when in full foliage, the better 

 the prospect of a full crop. By this process my grapes ripen simulta- 

 neously and uniformly. I am inclined to think, that greater attention 

 to ground culture would add much to the size of my fruit, without af- 

 fecting the other excellent qualities of my vines. 



Yours, &c., 



JAMES EWBANK. 



