FARMS. 177 



commencod, but sufficient time has not yet elapsed to warrant an 

 expression of opinion upon tlio results. Suffice it to say, those 

 most interested are satisfied that they shall reap a good harvest. 

 We have had frequent inquiries about the methods adopted, the 

 kinds of vines, the time of setting out, the preparation of the 

 land, etc., by parties bent on experimenting on a small scale. 

 But our own stock of practical knowledge is small, and we can 

 only refer inquirers to men already engaged in the business, or 

 to various contributions in previous volumes of our transac- 

 tions. In the volume entitled, "Agriculture of Massachusetts, 

 by C. L. Flint," for 1853, will be found several excellent com- 

 munications, which go into the details of growing cranberries. 

 Also a report upon cranberries by the Secretary himself, which 

 is full and complete, abounding in practical suggestions. Very 

 few persons are. aware of the extent of the cranberry culture, 

 the demand for the fruit, or the interest recently awakened in 

 the details of various methods. On these and various other 

 topics, Mr. Flint's report aflbrds much instruction. The mar- 

 ket is never glutted with this article. There is 210 probability 

 that it can be. The price is always high, and the demand 

 steadily increasing. We believe, that in a few years, many a 

 now unproductive meadow will be worth more than all the rest 

 of the farm. This is already the case in several instances that 

 have come to our knowledge. We know men who have received 

 from one hundred to five hundred dollars for their cranberries 

 this season ; and the natural meadow of Captain ^Y. Tucker, 

 of Canton, does not probably yield a net annual profit of less 

 than two thousand dollars. Perhaps no man in this vicinity 

 has had more experience in this business, or is better qualified 

 to give the necessary information to persons about commenc- 

 ing it. 



Our principal cereal crop, Indian corn, has been remarkably 

 large and sound this season. We have found a most gratifying 

 disposition, on the part of farmers, to increase the average yield, 

 and to prove that the largest crops are proportionably tlie cheap- 

 est, — that fifty bushels per acre cost less per bushel than thirty. 

 Many farmers listen with incredulity to the statement that a 

 hundred bushels can be raised on an acre ; but it has been done 

 before, and it has been done this year, at least, in one instance. 

 We refer to the crop of the Messrs. Sias, of Milton, an account 



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