PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 313 



method of cultivating the cranberry, and not for the largest 

 piece of ground appropriated, or the greatest quantity of fruit 

 raised, I commenced on small patches of meadow, where no 

 cranberry vines were ever known to grow. 



On the first patch, I cut and removed the sods ; and as this 

 would diminish the richness of the soil, I spread on, as a sub- 

 stitute, a coat of rich, fine manure, and a coat of coarse sand, 

 mixing it about five inches deep. I then cut up the vines with a 

 shovel, about eight inches square, — ^being careful to pull out of 

 the vines as much grass as possible, — and set them about two 

 feet apart. The first two years, I was able to work among 

 them with a hoe ; after this, I was only able to pull the grass 

 out with my hands, or mow the tops off, the vines had so run 

 together. And I will here mention, that in mowing over vines, 

 care must be taken not to cut the upright sprouts ; for the 

 vines run along close to the ground, like the strawberry, and at 

 nearly every joint there is an upright sprout, and from these 

 sprouts we must look for the fruit. This patch is about one 

 rod square ; the vines are very thrifty, and are covered thick 

 with cranberries. They completely cover the ground, and bid 

 fair to do well. 



On the second patch, I cut off the sods, and set the vines in 

 the same way ; did not apply the sand and manure, and took 

 care of them in the same way. The vines cover the ground, 

 but it is evident that they are not so thrifty, nor the fruit so 

 large, as on the first patch ; thus proving, that sand and manure 

 ai-e great helps in cultivating the cranberry. 



The third patch — I cut the vines and set them about two 

 feet apart, among the grass, without cutting off the sods, as 

 some have recommended. I have yearly mowed the tops of 

 the grass ; the vines run some among the grass and fog, but it 

 is evident that it will be a long time before they will gain the 

 ascendancy. This method, though the easiest at first, I shall 

 abandon. 



On the third patch, I set out what is called the bell, or up- 

 land cranberry, on about one square rod of low moist land. I 

 procured my roots of Sullivan Bates, of Bellingham, from 

 whom I have received much information on the subject. He 

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