LETTERS PROM PRACTICAL GROWERS. 105 



process of flooding, and especially of late flooding, does 

 something to prevent the ravages of tlie berry worm, and 

 it is at least a partial remedy for this evil, which most 

 cranberry growers have to contend with. 



There are several other insects that interfere more or 

 less with our cranberry crops, which, as yet, we have not 

 been able to find any remedy for ; the most destructive, 

 and the least likely to be noticed by growers, is a very 

 small, orange-colored insect, called the tip- worm, which 

 preys only on the new-formed buds at the tip of the 

 shoots. This insect is too small to be readily seen, but 

 its presence is indicated by two leaves at the top of the 

 shoot standing erect, and concaved, or spoon-bowl shaped 

 on the inner, or bud side. It seems to do its work in the 

 summer, while the berry is growing, and buds forming 

 for next year's crop. Very few yards are entirely free 

 from this insect. Some can be found in almost every 

 cranberry patch, and, in a few cases, tliey have been 

 known to destroy the whole crop. 



There is also a peculiar kind of span worm, of a dark 

 brown color, which makes its appearance in swarms, like 

 the locusts of Egypt, destroying everything in their way. 

 We have a very few patches attacked by them almost 

 every season ; as j'^et, we know nothing of their parent- 

 age or habits, except what we witness in their work on 

 the vines. They come when the fruit is about setting. 

 The worm and the fruit may both be destroyed by flood- 

 ing — that is, the worm will drown, and the fruit drop off. 



Respectfully yours, 



Zebina H. Small. 



To J. J. White : — After nearly twenty years' personal 

 experience in cranberry culture, and a favorable opportu- 

 nity of observing the practice of other cultivators, I have 

 come to this conclusion. For the successful cultivation of 

 this fruit the following requisites are necessary ; 

 5=^ 



