48 ea ' 
From the numerous experiments and observations I have made, I am 
convinced that the roots are injured by direct contact with decompos- 
ing, or even well-decomposed peat. Fresh, moist peat, pressed on litmus 
paper, gives at once the reaction of an acid, even when a solution 
of the same will scarcely indicate its presence. Roots growing in peat 
have always a blackened color, although well washed, indicating the 
presence of an oxidizing agent; but when growing in clear sand over 
peat-bottoms or in gray moss, they are of a whitish or pale-yellowish 
color, indicating the absence of acid, and also showing a healthy growth. 
Some specimens of native peat, analyzed in the laboratory of the 
Department, have given a larger per cent. of ammonia than some of 
commercial poudrette ; and_it is probable that the ammonia, disengaged 
from well-decomposed peat, existed in the form of a salt, and not as 
nitrogen in an albumenide. In the form of a soluble salt, it would 
come in contact with the roots by the capillary action of the sand. It 
isin this way that peat-bottoms have their value under sand. <A mi- 
croscopic examination of the dark-coloring matter found on the roots, 
after all the mechanical coloring matters had been removed, showed 
that their surface was chemically changed, that is, carbonized. 
Cranberry illustrations.—Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,5, and 6 represent the lead- 
. ing types of cranberries cultivated in New Jersey, which are known by the 
following names, viz: 1, the bell; 2, the cherry; 3, the bugle; 4, the 
red early bell, from Cape Cod, as found growing in New Jersey; 5, the 
cheese berry; 6, a modification of the bugle; 7, roots of the healthy 
vine, intermingled with moss. 
Insects injurious to cranberry-culture——The following letter relating 
to in sectsinjurious to cranberry-culture is written by the secretary of 
the New Jersey Cranberry Association, at the request of this Depart- 
ment: 
TRENTON, N. J., January 25, 1876. 
DEAR Sir: I subjoin a few facts, drawn from experience and observation, concerning 
the insect-enemies common to the cranberry. Those with which we have had special 
experience are the grasshopper, cricket, vine-worm, and berry-worm. We have suc- 
ceeded in destroying these worms by thorough plowing. On a portion of the park 
cranberry low lands they at one time became very numerous in spite of the ordinary 
winter plowing, but by removing the water and exposing the lands for a few weeks to 
the rays of the sun in April, and then again submerging them, the worms were com- 
pletely destroyed. When water is not at command for flowing we think they may be 
controlled by night-fires on the borders of the bogs at the period when the moth is 
out. Many moths are destroyed by the flames, and more are attracted away from the 
plantation by the light that do not find their way back. 
Grasshoppers and crickets have given us the most trouble. Their eggs being imper- 
vious to water cannot be destroyed by winter flowing. If they could be submerged at 
the period of hatching we have no doubt that they would succumb, but the hatching 
oceurring at a period when the vines are in bloom and setting with fruit, flowing can- 
not be employed without loss of the crop. Poultry of all kinds we have found very 
beneficial in keeping the grasshoppers in subjection; but we have found no animal 
sufficiently sharp-eyed to capture the hiding cricket except the Guinea fowl. Both the 
grasshopper and the cricket are fearfully destructive, as the former attacks the berry 
when very small, and the latter eats only the seeds at the time of ripening. 
If you can give us any assistance by way of remedy for these pests we shall be greatly 
obliged. 
respectfully, 
A. J. RIDER. 
Hon. FREDK. WaATTs, 
Commissioner of Agriculture. 
PENICILLIUM GLAUCUM.—Under the head of microscopic investiga- 
tions will appear, from time to time, in the monthly reports of the Depart- 
ment, a series of illustrations of finely-executed engravings, represent- 
ing the most important types of cryptogamic plants and including edible 
