32 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



by ploughing. It may then be harrowed and rolled down, 

 when it is ready for the vine, which may be set in holes made 

 with the hoe, eight or ten inches apart, covering the roots 

 from one to two inches in depth. If the plot is to be flowed 

 with water during the winter, the vine may be planted as 

 soon as the land is made ready ; but, if not flooded, the vine 

 should be set in spring time. 



The second mode of fixing land for the cranberry, which 

 could noc well be ploughed, would be to spread evenly as 

 possible either beach or coarse sand to the depth of from 

 three to five inches, as the case might seem to require, to keep 

 down the grass, until the vine spreads, and checks its grow- 

 ing. In planting the vine, proceed as in the ploughed lot. 



The third method of preparing a plot of peat or muck for 

 the vine is to spread evenly a quantity of litter hay (perhaps 

 two tons to the acre) upon the surface, covering the same 

 with sand from three to five inches in depth. If this is done 

 in July or August, the vines may be planted in April or May 

 following. The hay will very effectually kill the grass, and 

 many other substances not favorable to the growth of the 

 cranberry, and quicken the growth of the vine in its decay- 

 ing condition. 



There are one or two other methods which may be em- 

 ployed in preparing land for the cranberry. If the patch 

 can be flowed with water during the warmer season, of suffi- 

 cient depth, it will kill out all vegetation, thus preparing the 

 soil very cheaply for the vine. 



Again : if there are substances that cannot be eradicated 

 by water, or by spreading sand, the surface-soil may be re- 

 moved, putting on sand in its place ; but the operation is 

 somewhat expensive, and, the surface-soil being more con- 

 genial to the growth of the cranberry, it should be, if possi- 

 ble, retained. 



As there are many varieties of the cranberry growing in 

 this region, it is important that those vines be selected that 

 are fruitful, producing large berries, early to ripen, and of 

 good color. The importance of a flood-gate to prevent by 

 water the destruction by the worm and the frosts of June 

 and September upon the cranberry can hardly be overrated 

 in this locality. The advantage of flowing during the freez- 

 ing months, when the weather is uncommonly cold and severe, 



