MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 165 



The vines began to spread gradually, notwithstanding the 

 sods were surrounded with grass. 



In 1843, I also placed some vines upon the heaps or raised 

 spots, — they grew at first thriftily, but turned yellow in dry 

 weather. 



In 1845, I removed the soil from the depth of six to eigh- 

 teen inches, reducing the surface to a more uniform level, 

 placing the vines out in the sub-soil in the same manner, and 

 of the same dimensions as in 1841, the sods being at the dis- 

 tance of from eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. 



These vines covered the ground the third year, where the 

 sub-soil was mellow and loose, without any farther labor ; but 

 where the soil was hard and mixed with small lumps of iron 

 ore, their growth was more retarded. 



In 1848, I selected the most productive part of the ground, 

 raked and measured four bushels, from four square rods. They 

 are not so productive the present season,, owing to the dry 

 weather, and a light frost we had the 16th of July. This 

 ground is so situated, that it can be flowed winter and spring. 



I have raked and measured, two bushels of cranberries, from 

 four square rods, on the ground which you examined the 

 6th of September. These facts are presented, contending for, 

 the premium offered by the society, for the cultivation of the 

 cranberry vine. 



Wayland, Sept. 1849. 



Unwilling that injustice should be done to any applicant for 

 the bounty of the society, the committee thought proper to 

 consult the judgment of others in regard to this matter ; and 

 as the premium is derived chiefly from the contribution of an 

 individual, it was supposed that the views of that gentleman 

 might, with propriety by solicited. Accordingly a note was 

 addressed to him by the committee, inclosing the statement of 

 the applicant for the premium, to which, the following reply 

 has been received : — 



