FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS OF HINGHAM. 109 



four years which have since elapsed certainly include that stage 

 of growth when cranberry vines are in the most favorable con- 

 dition for productiveness. Both these meadows were prepared 

 at considerable cost, and in both, owing to the location, the 

 quantity of gravel was made greatly to exceed the quantity of 

 peat accessible to the vines. Mr. Gifford's meadow, on the con- 

 trary, which has more than twice paid for itself in three years, 

 received only a thin layer of sand upon a level bed of clean 

 peat. Mr. Hadley's meadow was prepared in a similar manner. 

 These facts seem to indicate that the presence of peat in con- 

 siderable quantities, if not essential to the growth of vines, is at 

 least conducive to the perfecting of their fruit. 



Notwithstanding the uncertain nature of the business, the 

 cultivation of cranberries is well worthy the attention of any 

 one having a suitable location, and sufficient means for prose- 

 cuting it without interfering with other and more certain avoca- 

 tions. A few days spent in the examination of meadows already 

 prepared, and in acquiring a knowledge of the methods pursued 

 and the material used in their preparation, would enable begin- 

 ners to profit by the experience of others and to avoid many 

 mistakes to which they would otherwise be liable. 



Alden S. Bradford, Supervisor. 



FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS OF HINGHAM. 



HINGHAM. 



The society appointed a committee to prepare lists of the trees 

 and shrubs of Hingham, with a view to create a taste for. the 

 study of this branch of our natural history. The committee 

 consisted of James S. Lewis and Fearing Burr. They have 

 labored with great diligence to perfect a catalogue, which was 

 reported to the society, accepted and ordered to be printed with 

 the " Transactions " of 1867. The report which follows was 

 drawn up by Mr. Lewis, and is believed to be as correct as a 

 laborious investigation for a series of years and an extensive 

 knowledge of the subject could make it : — 



