REPORT OF CRANBERRY SUBSTATION FOR 1916. 185 



than 2 degrees. Two thicknesses spread on the vines raised the minimum 

 temperature from 3| to 5 degrees, according to wind conditions, above 

 that over the unprotected bog. One thickness supported on wires about 

 hip high gave a medium advantage as compared with the single and 

 double thicknesses spread on the vines. 



In the fall these tests were continued on patches of unpicked vines on 

 the station bog, and a maximum advantage of about 3 degrees with a 

 single thickness and of 6 degrees with a double one was obtained. More- 

 over, this advantage continued after the vines had been covered with the 

 cloth continuously day and night for nineteen days in a test begun Sep- 

 tember 25 and ended October 14. 



The experience with this cloth justifies the following conclusions: — 



(a) This protection is not satisfactory on bogs with much moss under 

 the vines because of the reduced radiation on such bogs. 



(b) Good secondhand cloth is so hard to get that its use is not practi- 

 cable. 



(c) One thickness of new cloth is not enough when spread on the vines. 



(d) The difficulties and expense of wire supports prohibit their use. 



(e) With two thicknesses spread on the vines, the protection is proba- 

 bly sufficient for most of the Cape bogs, and this seems the best way to use 

 it. It is too bulky to handle easily on large areas, but it may be left on a 

 bog continuously during quite a long cold period without reducing the 

 protection afforded. 



(/) It is better to protect with water if it can be done at reasonable 

 expense. 



Howes ^ berries that had undergone various low temperatures were 

 picked and examined on November 15, as follows: — 



1. Of 433 berries that had endured a temperature of 15^° F., 375 were 

 entirely sound and 58 were soft. Eighteen of the latter showed unmis- 

 takably that they had decayed from fungous disease, leaving only 40, or 

 9.64 per cent., that could have been softened by frost; and perhaps even 

 this figure should be reduced on account of fungous rot that could not be 

 distinguished. 



2. Of 442 berries that had undergone a temperature of 13|° F., 340 were 

 sound and 102 soft. Of the latter, 26 showed that they had rotted because 

 of fungous diseases, this leaving 76, or 18.27 per cent., that might have 

 been frosted. 



3. Of 444 berries exposed to a temperature of 9° F., 200 seemed entirely 

 sound, 244 being soft. Twenty of the latter evidently had been softened 

 by diseases, leaving only 224, or 52.83 per cent., that could have been hurt 

 by frost. 



• This variety has been called "Late Howe" in previous reports of the cranberry substation. 

 The writer is informed that it was first taken from the wild, and cultivated by the late James P. 

 Howes of East Dennis, Howes being a common family name in that part of Cape Cod. As 

 " Howe" is evidently a corruption, and as "late" is superfluous, all the varieties that have been 

 called "Howe" being late, the name Howes is considered more appropriate and is therefore used 

 in this report. 



