34 



burned; ditches are then cut around the outside, between the 

 swamp to be planted and the adjoining higher land. These should 

 be from one and one-half to two feet deep and from two to three 

 feet wide, varying as the location be wet or dry, a very springy 

 swamp not being as desirable as one which, though peaty or mucky, 

 is not filled with active springs. The main waterway, which is 

 usually to be found near the centre of the swamp should be 

 straightened and deepened. Cross ditches are also cut at dis- 

 tances of from four to eight rods apart. 



The brush and wood being disposed of, and the ditches com- 

 pleted, the surface is next made level. For this purpose thin bog 

 or stub hoes, with a sharp cutting edge, are used, the smaller roots 

 being cut off and raked out, when they in turn are burned or 

 carried off. To assist in getting a level, the ditches are filled to 

 within a few inches of the surface with water, this water line being 

 very useful in securing the desired plane. A dam at the lower end 

 of the tract is to be constructed, with gates, that the flowage may 

 be regulated at will. 



After the clearing, ditching and levelling have been completed, 

 comes the sanding, for which purpose all soil is removed from 

 the portions of the upland that the sand is to be taken from. 

 This coarse sand is spread upon the surface to a depth of from 

 three to six inches, more if the swamp is naturally wet or springy 

 and inclined to a rank, vegetable growth, while the lesser depth 

 may be sufficient if the soil is quite dry, and free from grass or 

 water growth. This covering is usually carried on in barrows 

 having a small wheel, these being run upon a one and one-half by 

 eight inch plank for a track. The sand is raked to the desired 

 thickness as fast as wheeled on, one man doing the levelling and 

 moving the track, while three to six men, as the distance be long 

 or short, wheel the sand. A common wooden hand hay rake, with 

 half the length of the teeth cut away, is used for the levelling. 



"We are now ready to set the plants, which is preferably done in 

 May, or between April 15 and June 10. The level, sanded sur- 

 face is marked off eighteen inches apart each way. The cuttings 

 are secured from a good, healthy growth of vines of the desired 

 variety, being cut off at the ground with a common butcher knife, 

 from four to six barrels of cuttings being needed to set an acre. 

 A bunch of from five to eight of these cuttings is pressed firmly 

 into the sand with a dibble to a depth of from three to five inches. 

 The ditches are then nearly filled with water and the soil kept 

 moist till the plants have rooted, after which the water may be dis- 

 pensed with for a time, though it is well to nearly fill the ditches 

 occasionally if the season be very dry. 



