lO CRANBERRY CULTURE. 



vines ictth water just hefore they hlossow, while the fruit- 

 buds are showing plainly, and hokl it on for twenty-four 

 hours^ but no longer, as the water, injures the crop of 

 fruit if left on too long wliile the vines are in this state. 

 The latter expedient can only be resorted to when a copi- 

 ous stream is at hand. 



Plantations tliat have, to all appearance^;, become worth- 

 less by the ravages of tlie fire worm, may be restored by 

 flooding. This was illustrated on the " Willow Farm," 

 near Medford, X. J. Upon this tract osier willows had 

 been planted among the cranberry vines, with the object 

 of obtaining a double crop. But, like one who aims too 

 high, and hits nothing, this pLinter lost both basket ma- 

 terial and cranberries ; for the worms, attacking the wil- 

 lows, soon spread over tlie vines beneath, and spoiled all. 

 The meadow remained in an unprofitable condition for 

 several years, when, as a last resort, dams were construct- 

 ed at considerable expense, and a head of water raised, 

 which resulted in exterminating the worms, and shortly 

 after (in 1867) a crop averaging one hundred bushels per 

 acre Avas produced. Tliis was quite a recommendation 

 for the farm, and enabled the owner to dispose of it to 

 good advantage. The next year a light crop was general 

 throughout New Jersey, and the Willow Farm was not 

 an exception ; but, in 1869, it again yielded handsome re- 

 turns, and now no danger is ai>prehencled from the " fire 

 worm." 



In locations where water cannot be comnumded for 

 winter flooding, other means must be adopted to destroy 

 these insects. Professor Agassi/ recommends buihling 

 fires at night around tlie meadow, while the moths are in 

 existence. The dazzling light attracts them, and many 

 fall victims to the devouring flames. 



The same principle is sometimes applied more effectu- 

 ally in the following manner, viz. : a large ball of cotton 

 is tightly wrapped in fine wire, and saturated with kero- 



