447 



healthy bog-peat were more or less colored, some of them being thickish 

 and soluble. These exhibited slight fermeiitatiou after stauding twelve 

 days. In fifteen days swarms of infusorials appeared in the surface- 

 scum when viewed by the microscope. 



In my first report, published in the monthly for October, 1874, I 

 showed that the principtU cause of cranberry-rot was improper cultiva- 

 tion. In many cases the vines have beisn planted in fermenting peat- 

 soil; but it has also been shown that high temperatures and great 

 drought produce the same results, as was the case near Pemberton last 

 year. There are many seeming contradictions as to the cause of cran- 

 berry-rot, and some growers have lost all confidence in human judgment 

 on the subject, and are disposed to leave the cultivation of the cran- 

 berry to nature. The following will illustrate some of the principal 

 facts which have led to great confusion of ideas among growers: H has 

 a bog always covered with water; his berries never rot. B, his brother, 

 has planted a bog, similar as to quantity of water, with vines selected 

 from the plantation of H. After copious rains and hot suns the berries 

 of B rot while those of H remain in perfect condition, although grow- 

 ing aj)parently under the same general conditions. This seems inex- 

 plicable. But the bog of H is surrounded by high bluffs which pour 

 out a never-ceasing supply of comparatively^ cold water. The roots are 

 kept always cool, but not too cold for growth. The fruit is longer in 

 maturing than that of some of the neighboring plantations differently 

 situated, but the berries of H ultimately become fully matured, very 

 firm, and highly charged with starch. B has no high bluffs to supply 

 him with cool water. On the contrary, his bog lies in an open plain, 

 subject to the effects of a scorching sun. The temperature of the water 

 becomes too high for healthy growth, and his berries consequently suc- 

 cumb to these unfavorable conditions. 



There is conclusive evidence that matured berries will grow only on 

 matured vines. It is the experience of all growers that the berries of 

 vines two or three years old, however large and beautiful, are not good 

 keepers ; while the same vines wheu they become aged, under ordinarily 

 favorable circumstances, will produce good-keeping fruit. As a general 

 rule, it is found that the old healthy bogs produce the most reliable 

 fruit. 



When at Pemberton last year I expressed the opinion that the cran- 

 berries growing in that neighborhood rotted from drought and high 

 temperature. Nearly all of the sod in that district seemed to be free 

 from bad odors; but, under converse conditions this year, rot of the 

 berry occurred on the same plantations. One of the most intelligent 

 growers of Pemberton informed me that the rot commenced immediately 

 after the heavy rains of August. 



The cranberry-plant is very hardy; its leaves are glossy and strongly 

 resist climatic changes. Its wood has a solid texture, and with- 

 stands very cold weather, although it may be killed by a severe frost. 

 The roots, when planted in pure sand, or when growing in gray moss, 

 have a translucent, whitish appearance, and are not easily broken. 

 Unhealthy roots are of a dark brown or blackish color, and may be 

 ground into a pulp between the fingers. The blossoms and berries are, 

 however, very much subject to blight or rot. When we take into con- 

 sideration the large amount of water contained in the best varieties oi 

 the cranberry, it need not be surprising that inferior kinds should suc- 

 cumb under even slightly unfavorable conditions. The following are the 

 results of an analysis, made at the Department, of a dark-colored and 



