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On the 9tli of September I visited the crauberry plantations of Charles 

 C. Hinchman, situated at Taunton, Burlington County. They are sub- 

 divided into several plats, which are peculiarly and favorably situated 

 for cranberry-culture. A stream of pure cold water flows through all 

 his i>lats, most of which are nearly surrounded by high banks. From 

 these ooze unseen currents of water, which moisten the cranberry 

 plats below them. The stream which flows through Mr. Hinch man's 

 Ijrincipal bog is about three feet deep and twelve feet wide, and is 

 slightly tinged with soluble humus (peaty matter) and bicarbonate of 

 iron. In several of the bogs belonging to this gentlemen there are sul- 

 phur springs, one of which flows in the middle of a cranberry plat with- 

 out doing any apparent injury to the plants. It may be remarked that 

 Mr. Hinchman's cranberry vines, although cultivated, are growing in 

 water as if in a wild bog. The condition of his bog-land vines and 

 berries at once demonstrates that the cranberry-vine may be brought 

 to a high state of cultivation, although the roots may be submerged in 

 water the year round. Many valuable experiments have been made by 

 Mr. Hinchman to ascertain how much drainage may be profitably em- 

 ployed, and the description of sand, as well as the amount per acre, that 

 should be used on bog-land previous to the planting of vines ; also, how 

 much should be laid over the vines when in full growth. 



I think that the Taunton plantations would be very little improved by 

 the use of lime, while on the dryest portions of them a much larger yield of 

 fruit would be obtained by thefree useof fertilizers applied after theremoval 

 of the water of the winter flooding. On the margin of these plantations 

 Mr. Hinchman has erected an extensive building of stoneforthe assorting, 

 cooling, and storage of berries. Cylinders are supplied with an 

 ice-mixture, through which cooled air is carried by means of suitable 

 machinery over and through the crates of berries awaiting transportation. 



This is the only place in the United States where machinery is em- 

 ployed to cleanse, cool, and assort the berries previous to shipment. 

 This important fact was established by my visit to Mr. Hmchman's bogs : 

 that the cranberry-vines are not injuriously aftected, even though the 

 roots may be submerged from 1 to 2 inches, provided the water is cool 

 and in motion. Mr. Hinchman's plantations possess greater natural 

 advantages than those of Mr. Bishop, but he will, notwithstanding, have 

 a smaller crop than that gentleman, and his berries will ripen later. 

 While walking over the Taunton vines my feet were frequently in two 

 inches of water, and the use of rubber, boots was indispensable, while 

 the surface of the lalantations at Manahawkin was comparatively dry. 

 Under the wet system the vines have a greater tendency to extend 

 in woody growth. The blossoms are consequently later in forming 

 and the berries later in maturing than under the dryer system of 

 culture ; but in a series of years the wet system might prove more 

 profitable than the other, since it affords a iDetter i^rotection against 

 grasshoppers, and also the berry and vine worm. These pests are un- 

 known on Mr. Hinchman's bogs. An analysis of the berries cultivated 

 under each system would probably show that those from the wet plan- 

 tations contain less earthy and solid matter generally than those from 

 the dry, and, all other conditions being equal, would probably keep 

 better than the former. A recent analysis of Captain Small's Cape Cod 

 Early Black Bell berries gave one-fifth of 1 per cent, of earthy matter, 

 while the common Cape Cod Bell berries of good quality gave about 

 one-fourth of 1 per cent. All other conditions being equal, the Early 

 Black would prove the better keeper, while the common bell of Cape 

 Cod Bell would prove better for immediate use, being more juicy. 



