114 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ployed in removing the grass and rushes from around the roots, 

 and thus prevent their choking the vines' growth. 



When gathered and secured from fall frosts, by whichever 

 process the gathering may have been performed, the fruit should 

 be well cleaned, and all leaves, stocks and rushes separated and 

 culled out, so as to leave the cranberry in a good marketable 

 condition. 



The facilities for raising the fruit in Essex county entitle 

 this subject to more attention from the society. A long line of 

 seashore, and numerous bogs and swamps, now lying in an un- 

 productive state, may be profitably converted into beds for its 

 culture. A stimulus is wanted ; and that your society can give, 

 by holding out the usual encouragement to meritorious culti- 

 vators. 



In this report an attempt has been made to establish the fol- 

 lowing propositions : — 



1. That the cranberry can be cultivated, is of value in tlie 

 market, and therefore worthy of culture. 



2. That its culture will convert much at present waste land 

 into a valuable and productive property. 



3. That the cranberry most needs moisture, best jHourishes 

 in the poorest lands for ordinary cultivation, and delights in 

 beach, sand, without a particle of vegetable or animal manure 

 intermixed. 



4. That, according to all analogies of science and the great 

 laws of propagation, the cranberry may be improved in charac- 

 ter and quality, and its varieties multiplied. 



6. That growers should publish the results of their experi- 

 ence and various experiments hereafter made, and should be 

 encouraged so to do by the Essex Agricultural Society. 



David Roberts, Chairman. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Statement of E. B. Fitts. 



The piece of cultivated cranberries that is presented for pre- 

 mium contains about twelve rods ; it was planted about four 

 years ago ; the soil is sandy loam, on the lower part of a pine 

 plain, and had been previously cultivated with corn and rye, until 



