30 ANNUAL KEPOKT 



but by so doing Ibey are liable to run square into the eniljracc of a ruinous freeze 

 in September before their erop is matured. 



Many things are too short at one end, but our cranljerry seasons seem a little 

 short at both ends. 



Next after water comes the question, is your land "well yined," that is, is it 

 evenly and Avell covered with native vines? Happy is he who has this condition, 

 for very soon after he has them under good water control, he will reap fair and in 

 many instances bountiful returns. 



If not well vined, a very light sprinkling of native vines, will in a few years, 

 with the advantages of good water treatment, fullj- occupj^ the ground, but if 

 these are absent, then viiies must be planted. 



This is done Ijy taking pieces of vine 8 to 12 inches long, from 3 to (i togetlier, 

 dropping them on the ground, and with the end of a thin strip of board placed 

 near their middle, punch them into the mud 3 to 4 inches, so that the ends pro- 

 trude an inch or two, one part will be wrong end up and will perish, but the 

 other will be right and will be sure to grow. This work may be done all through 

 June and Juh', and perhaps a month later. More rapid work is done by having a 

 substitute for ftie thin board, fastened to the sole of the boot, and thus stepping 

 the vines in. Of many acres thus planted I never lost three per cent. 



Three feet each way will do, liut two feet is much better and will occupy the 

 ground and yield returns enough sooner to pa\\ 



These planted vines do not come forward as rapidly as those of native planting' 

 and the planter must be resigned to 4 to 6 years of patient waiting for full returns. 



On all unimproved marshes there is more or less (usually more) moss. It is de- 

 sirable to destroy this and get the vines down to, and rooted in the peat as soon as 

 possible. 



This moss killing is best done by perfect tlowing until rather late in the spring, 

 then draining it quickly and as chy as possible. With this treatment, a few warm 

 sunny days usually do the work. 



On all marshes are found patches of sage, featherbush and willows, disputing 

 possession with the cranberries, and in manj' places getting "the lion's share." 

 These can only be eradicated by persistent pulling and l)uruing. 



Insect enemies are the fruit worm — very similar to our codling worm — which 

 sometimes does very considerable damage, but which can be kept well in check Ijy 

 early and perfect flowing; also the tip worm, which works on the tender points of 

 the vine and thus destroys the fruit buds for the following season. Their damage 

 is usually trifling. 



The soil of these marshes is peat, varying from 6 inches to 3 feet, resting on 

 pure sand, — probably underhand— at depths varying from 6 to 20 feet, by sand rock. 



The country is very level and the water is all from the rain and snow, held back 

 for weeks and months in its course to the streams by the deep moss, and spruce, 

 and tamarac swamps. 



Water thus gathered and held is generally believed to better meet the wants of 

 the vines than from springs or running streams. 



Scalping and planting has in some instances been successfully done; also plant- 

 ing on very sandy soil with but little peat, and not naturally submerged, but this 

 has only been successful when water could be introduced in sutiicieut quantities 



