86 



over the entire surface. A much more shallow covering of 

 water would suffice for most purposes, but, if only a few inches 

 deep, the vines would be frozen into the ice in winter, and, in 

 case of freshets, the ice might lift and break the vines, and dam- 

 age the meadow. 



A third requisite will be a good and convenient supply of pure 

 sand or gravel with which to cover the surface of the bog from 

 three to eight inches deep. The depth of sand required will 

 depend upon the depth of the peat the more peat the more 

 sand. In some instances as much as twelve inches has been 

 applied, but in most cases from three to five inches will be suffi- 

 cient. A meadow thinly sanded will give a crop of fruit 

 sooner, but it will continue productive longer when the applica- 

 tion is thicker. For this reason, some cover only two or three 

 inches at first, and repeat the application as required. In the 

 first instance, the sand is moved from the margin or bank to the 

 bog on small flat cars and movable wooden tracks, if the area is 

 large, but barrows and plank runs answer very well for small 

 plots. The most convenient method, however, is to flow the 

 meadow, and spread the sand evenly on the ice in winter. 



Occasionally a meadow may be found that can be turned with 

 the plow, and harrowed after it has been drained. This will 

 save much expense in the preparation ; but if the land is filled 

 with stumps, or covered with bushes, plowing will be found im- 

 practicable, and grubbing a much more expensive method 

 must be adopted. 



All elevations must be cut down, and the sods and soil used 

 for filling depressions, so as to make the whole surface as level 

 as possible. The brush, and all combustible substances, may 

 be piled and burnt on the ground, while bogs and tussocks may 

 be utilized in the construction of dikes and dams. If removed 

 and piled on the margin of the upland, they will soon decay 

 and become valuable for use in the compost heap and as an 

 absorbent. Their value for this purpose will repay, at least in 

 part, the cost of removal. 



In order that the bog may be covered with water in winter to 

 a uniform depth, it must be graded to a level, or so as to hare 

 only a slight inclination towards the ditches. If there is much 

 slope the upper portions could only be covered by constructing 



