443 



We were informed that gas-lime had been spread over portions of this 

 plantation with but little effect. In my opinion, the use of stone or shell 

 quick-lime would produce more Important results. The water in the 

 ditches was highly impregnated with iron — probably as bicarbonate of 

 iron — which is soluble in water. Gas-lime is composed mostly of sul- 

 phide of calcium ; that is, a mixture of sulphur and calcium. It also 

 contains caustic lime, but in hraited quantity. When gas-lime is exposed 

 for a considerable period to the action of rain and air, a large portion of 

 the sulphide is converted into sulphate of Hme, or land plaster. I con- 

 sider that, for the purposes required, caustic shell or rock lime would 

 prove more profitable, for several reasons. 



We next visited the plantation of General Morris, of Bogville. His 

 vines are of only four years' growth, and the cran!)erries have rotted 

 each year. An examination of the peat revealed the presence of sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen, which was also found in the substratum of the 

 savanna bottoms of this plantation. One-half of the plantation was 

 covered with sand taken fi^om an adjoining cultivated field, the particles of 

 which were very fine, and it probably contained clay. The vines cov- 

 ered with this fine sand were stunted in growth, while those sanded with 

 coarse sand-, taken from an uncultivated bank near by, were very thrifty 

 and in full bearing. Samples of these two kinds of sand have been 

 procured, and will be analyzed in the laboratory of the Department. 



I also visited the plantation of A. T. Finn, of jSTew York, consisting of 

 thirteen acres. The vines appeared healthy and were fruited, although the 

 berries were rotting. An examination of the soil of this bog revealed 

 the presence of fermentation and unhealthy roots. We were informed 

 that the vines last year appeared healthy, and yet the berries rotted so 

 badly that but twenty-five bushels were harvested from thirteen acres. 



We next visited a very thrifty bog, known as the Shreve plantation, 

 near Tom's River. This bog has always borne fruit free from rot. An 

 examination proved that all the conditions were favorable, the soil being 

 well decomposed and free from odor, and the roots small and healthy in 

 appearance. From this point I proceeded to West Creek, and visited 

 the extensive and highly cultivated plantations of Col. D. R. Gowdy, 

 and also the Eagle Company plantation. I found here good and bad 

 soil, plenty of water, and a refreshing, cool breeze blowing over the sur- 

 face of the grounds, the latter circumstance being of common occurrence. 

 Mr. Gowdy claims to have a very superior short vine which is known as 

 the " Gowdy vine." He is one of the oldest cultivators in the State of 

 New Jersey, and has been very successful. The land under cultivation 

 at this place is generally good, although 1 found many spots on it in a 

 state of fermentation. 



A diversity of opinion seemed to prevail at this place between Mr. 

 Gowdy and the Eaglewood Company as to the best form and depth of 

 ditches and the width of the lands between them. The irrigation of 

 cranberry land is of the highest importance at all times, but especially, 

 when the soil is sour. The Eaglewood Company lately ditched their 

 bogs very deep, and on the day of my visit to their plantation I ob- 

 served that the water in the ditches did not come within 18 inches of 

 the roots. There were probably about five inches of sand over the peat- 

 bottoms. I examined the roots of the vines and found them baking in 

 pure, dry sand at a very high temperature. The overseer in charge in- 

 formed me that they had been in that condition for sometime, and that 

 having no instruction to till up the ditches with water he was powerless 

 to act. This was probably the condition of about eighty acres during the 



