144 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



It seems to me that we need direction ; but I think we have 

 splendid opportunities for entering upon this business, and if 

 every gentleman who has a chance would experiment — not dash 

 out, but try a square rod by removing the top soil, another by 

 plowing, and another by hauling on sand, in that way we should 

 run no risk, and I am satisfied that in the end our efforts would 

 result in success. 



Secretary Boardman. I want to endorse the views presented 

 by Mr. Barrows, though I do not know as I can say a single word 

 to give them greater weight. There are as we know, thousands 

 upon thousands of acres all over the State, of such land as has 

 been described. In many localities cranberries grow upon them 

 n8,turally, but there are many more where they may be cultivated 

 with profit, and it does seem to me, as Mr. Barrows says, that the 

 subject is one of the most important that can be brought to our 

 attention. 



There are some things I think, that this discussion has brought 

 out. While I do not doubt that my friend Winslow in his locality, 

 can grow a small patch of cranberries without trouble and every 

 few years get a nice return from it ; I also believe that to succeed 

 in cranberry culture as a busmess, it is necessary to remove the 

 turf, and bring sand to put on your soil. The sand not only fur- 

 nishes a food that the vines need, but it keeps down the grass. 

 Again, I think it is best to set the roots. Of course you can cut 

 the vines and trample them into the earth, but there must be a true 

 policy, and I believe that policy is to set the roots and set them 

 properly, and that you will find it the better and safer way if you 

 propose to cultivate for profit. If you only want to raise a few 

 berries for your own table you need not take so much trouble, and 

 some years you will get a crop — others you will not. Again, I 

 believe that water is indispensable, arid that the best growers so 

 say. I believe it is necessary not only for the protection of the 

 vines in blossom from the frost and the fly, but for the better ripen- 

 ing of the berry in the fall before the early frost. It has been 

 remarked that you can get along without it, but to make it a busi- 

 ness, I believe that flowing is indispensably necessary. I think 

 that about a week from the last of May to the first of June is the 

 time of flowing, and if you flow constantly for ten days at that 

 time, you prevent the frost from destroying and the fly from injur- 

 ing the blossom, and of course you get a better berry by allowing 

 them to remain on the vines till the fruit is perfected, and I think 



