156 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



enormous profits have been realized ; from others but an unsat- 

 isfactory harvest of " great expectations." In some cases, 

 where meadow has been prepared at considerable expense, the 

 vines, without apparent cause, liave failed to grow, or growing, 

 failed to bear fruit. In others the cranberry worm lias devoured 

 the product, leaving the proprietor but " a beggarly account of 

 empty husks." In still others the crop has been destroyed by 

 frost, which, whether occurring in the late spring or early 

 autumn, is alike damaging to the hopes of tlie cultivator. The 

 first-named evil, will, doubtless, be of less frequent occurrence 

 in the future, when the peculiarities of the plant and the nature 

 of the soil to which it is adapted become more fully understood. 

 For the others there is no known remedy of general application. 

 The burning of turf on the border of meadows has been recom- 

 mended as a preventative of frost. Though very pretty in 

 theory, the recommendation is of little practical value. An 

 unlimited command of water is the only certain means of pro- 

 tection against frost, and the most plausible one against worms. 

 In Barnstable County and in portions of Plymouth and Bristol 

 Counties the temperature is so modified by currents of air from 

 the ocean that the danger from frost is very slight. 



But like other extra-hazardous business, the cultivation of 

 cranberries has attractions for such as are able to run consider- 

 able risks for the chance of large profits ; and it is doubtless 

 destined to increase till this fruit becomes a very important 

 item in the agricultural products of Massachusetts. 



Your supervisor has been at pains to visit cranberry meadows 

 in different parts of the county, as well those which are not, as 

 those which are, entered for premium. A few notes on the 

 best methods of cultivation, the result of his experience and 

 observation, and of his intercourse with cultivators, may be of 

 interest to those who are intending to eliter upon this branch 

 of berry-culture. 



A most important consideration, in selecting a cranberry 

 meadow, is its location. This should be, if possible, below the 

 surface' level of a natural or artificial pond or reservoir, from 

 which the ditches may be filled and the vines covered in an 

 hour, if necessary, and at the same time, so far elevated above 

 some place of discharge that the water may be quickly with- 

 drawn. In such a location the vines can be readily protected 



