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the ground, and found that the soil was not well decomposed, and that 

 the muck was in a condition of active fermentation, giving off strong 

 odors of sulphuretted hydrogen. The roots of the vines here were un- 

 usually large, matted, and of a dark, unhealthy color. 



We next visited the plantation of Messrs. C. G. and E. W. Crane, 

 at Long Swamp, consisting of about thirt^^ acres. This plantation 

 had been recently laid out, and was provided with the latest improve- 

 ments. The ground here proved generally good, although in some places 

 there were decided indications of sour, fermenting soil. The Darron 

 plantations were next examined. The soil here is of a mixed charac- 

 ter, some portions of it proving to be well decomposed and without odor, 

 while other i)ortions were in a state of fermentation. It was observed 

 that the rot was confined to the parts indicating fermenting soil, while 

 the sound berries grew on the well-decomposed soil, which has generally 

 a pleasant odor. 



We next visited Butterfly Bridge plantation. Here, a plantation, laid 

 out some years ago by F. M. Todd, esq., in the best manner, and now 

 belonging to dilferent parties, was next visited. The vines on this j)lan- 

 tation rotted m spots last season. An examination of these spots showed 

 uudecomposed peat, and unhealthy roots, the latter being very large 

 and closely matted. Having stated to the committee of cranberry-grow- 

 ers accompanying me that fermenting soil and stagnating water were 

 probably the principal causes of the rot, I was informed that, although 

 my theory held good thus far, there was a neglected cranberry planta- 

 tion, known as the Carey Bog, near Bricksburgh, the water of which 

 they believed to be stagnant, as it had no visible outlet, but notwith- 

 standing, the fruit of the bog had not been affected by the disease. An 

 examination of the bog showed that the water which flooded it was per- 

 fectly fresh, being supplied probably by means of springs, and passed 

 oft' through the sand. The whole surface was covered with a dense 

 growth of moss and weeds, interspersed with cranberry plants. The 

 cranberry roots were growing in the moss and confined to it. They were 

 short, of a whitish color, and very healthy ; sand to the depth of eight 

 inches had at one time been spread over the peat mack. I cut through 

 it, and found it to be very pure and free from any odor. This bog very 

 much resembles a wild bog, being wholly neglected. I have also exam- 

 ined the roots of the cranberry plants as found growing in the wild state, 

 and in all cases have found them to be healthy and similar to these. I 

 have thus far failed to discover any healthy cranberry vines growing in 

 stagnant water. 



I next proceeded to Tom's Eiver, in company with General Morris, Dr. 

 ]Merriman, S. H. Shreve, and A. J. Eider, esqs. We visited the Berke- 

 ley plantation, one and a hali' miles from Tom's River. This plantation 

 contains about fifty acres of vines, which appeared very promising. 

 They had been planted about nine years. The berries, at the date of 

 our visit, were slightly aftected with rot. On my first examination of 

 the soil I detected imperfect roots, but no sulphuretted hydrogen. On 

 going deeper, the latter was found in abundance at a depth of about two 

 feet six inches. The soil of this plantation is of the variety known in 

 Kew Jersey as savanna, consisting of sand, with a slight trace of vege- 

 table matter. An analysis made in the laboratory of this Department, 

 shows that the proportions are, sand, 97 parts ; peaty matter, 3 parts. 

 Mr. Shreve informed us that a layer of peat about two inches in thick- 

 ness had been spread over the surface of the bog. From some cause 

 this peaty matter was in a state of fermentation, and its odor very bad. 



