61 



correspondents replying in the affirmative and 24 in the nega- 

 tive ; of those declaring an increase, 4 state that there has 

 been a little increase and 1, very little increase. From the 

 meager returns it appears that nitrate of soda is the most 

 popular fertilizer, being named by 8 correspondents. Other 

 kinds used are : ammoniated bone, bone phosphate, acid phos- 

 phate, different brands of phosphates, special cranberry, po- 

 tato fertilizers, potash, dried fish, any hill and drill com- 

 mercial, and nitrate of soda mixed with potash. 



Wild Bees. 

 Wild bees have been plentiful, in fact, more than usual in 

 some places ; one report reads " more than for three years." 

 The reports are divided as follows: plentiful, 20; not plenti- 

 ful, 6, with 1 report of " few ; " same as usual, 9. 



Labor. 

 Help on the bogs has been rather scarce, which fact may 

 have curtailed the building of some new pieces. In general, 

 hoAvever, the supply of labor does not appear to have influ- 

 enced bog operations to any considerable degree. The reports 

 are divided as follows : scarce, 15 ; enough, or normal, 5 ; 

 plentiful, 10, Of those reporting on the influence of the 

 supply, % declare none, or not much effect, on bog work. 



NOTES OF CRANBERRY CROP CORRESPONDENTS. 



H. S. Trueman, Somerville (Middlesex County). — Prospect for 

 the crop is 75 per cent of normal, the dry weather having materially 

 reduced it; late berries most affected; dry bogs more affected than 

 those which had winter flowage. Growers held the water up when 

 possible. Bloom is normal; considerable blasting of blossoms, and 

 only 75 per cent blossoms set. The wet -bog fireworm is not abundant, 

 and has done no extensive damage, only a small percentage of the 

 acreage in this vicinity being affected by this insect. Gypsy moths 

 have not been numerous on bogs. There was much " false blos- 

 som " on the bogs during May and Jime, which affected the late 

 blooms. There has been an increase over last year in amount of 

 spraying for fungous diseases, and also an increase in number of 

 growers who fertilize their bogs. Wild bees have not been plentiful. 

 Labor has been scarce, and bog operations have thereby been in- 



