110 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Expenses : — 

 Ploughing, four times, 

 Harrowing, bushing, and furrowing, 

 Drawing and spreading manure. 

 Planting, ^2.50 ; hoeing and thinning, 

 Seed, ...... 



No charge is made for manure. 



$13 08 



CRANBERRIES. 



ESSEX. 



' From the Report of the Committee. 



While public attention is much given to the cultivation and 

 improvement of various kinds of fruits, much more is due to 

 the trailing vine, — the history and culture of which are the sub- 

 ject of this communication. 



The cranberry, whether wild or cultivated, grown on low or 

 high lands, is fast becoming an element in the profits of agri- 

 culture. 



It was formerly supposed to be capable of being grown on 

 mossy bogs, swamps, meadows and sand beaches ; and tliough 

 practical culture and recent experiment have partially modified 

 the former theory, it may yet appear that low, wet and sandy 

 lands are best adapted for the successful culture of this desirable 

 addition to the farmer's products. 



The cranberry is a small, round, red, acid fruit, sometimes 

 oblong and pyriform in shape, and quite useful and valuable in 

 the culinary department for tarts and preserves. Of late it has 

 commanded adequate and remunerating prices, become more 

 appreciated as a market commodity, and is accordingly receiv- 

 ing (as it deserves) more attention than formerly. Within the 

 present year, it has been sold for $4 and $5 per bushel ; though 

 many can remember when, heretofore, it has been sold for $1 



