18 



NEW ENGLAND FARIMER. 



Jan. 



greensward, without manure the increase of 

 crop was much greater. 



This marl when burned resembles fine ashes, 

 but is somewhat heavier. The cost is trifling 

 compared with other fertilizers. Potatoes 

 raised upon this appear much better and are 

 less liable to be affected with rot than where 

 superphosphate is used. They are also free 

 from the rough or rusty surface. But the 

 phosphate manufactured at St. Johnsbury, 

 Vt., will grow the largest crops. 



Perhaps this may be the same deposit allud- 

 ed to by Mr. Simonds. If so, he need not be 

 afraid to try it. A. D. Akms. 



Montpdier, Vt., Nov. 25, 18G8. 



For the Neio England Farmer, 

 CULTIVATION OF CKA.NBEKHIES. 



Will Mr. Hersey tell us why "iu y)reparing the 

 soil lor cranberries the surface should i)e removed 

 down to the peat ?" D. L. Suepakd. 



Foxboro', Mass., Nov. 23, 1868. 



Remarks. — The above inquiry, together 

 with that of "W. B. K.," of West Fairlee, Vt., 

 in relation to a variety of the cranberry for 

 Central Vermont, were forwarded to Mr. Her- 

 sey, who has kindly responded, as follows : — 



In reply to Mr. Shepard's inquiry as to why 

 "in preparing the soil for cranberries the sur- 

 face should be removed down to the peat," I 

 would say. If the land is to be covered with 

 not move than from three to six inches of 

 sand, unless the soil is removed, the grass will 

 find its way to the surface in such quantities as 

 to make it very difficult to keep it down 'with- 

 out disturbing the horizontal runners of the 

 new plants. It should also be removed, be- 

 cause when properly dried and pulverized it is 

 one of the best materials to absorb the liquids 

 and gases of the barn, which are too often per- 

 mitted to pollute the streams, and render the 

 surrounding atmosphere anything but agreea- 

 ble. 



In reply to the question of "W. B. K.," Is 

 there any kind cf cranberry that will prove 

 profitable as far north as the middle of Ver- 

 mont, if set on the right kind of land ?" I am 

 not able to speak from experience, and be- 

 lieving that the value of a communication on 

 agriculture depends mainly whether it contains 

 facts ascertained to be such by the actual ex- 

 perience of the writer, or whether it contains 

 supposed facts suggested to the writer by a 

 friend, I hesitate to give an opinion. 



The cranberry in this latitude blossoms 

 about the first of July, and the crop is gath- 

 ered the last of September. In a higher lati- 

 tude it would be important to have tlie vines 

 covered with a few inches of water until all 

 danger of frost in the spring is over. The 

 land should then be kept as dry as possible 

 until there is danger of frost in the autumn, 



then flow it every cool night until crop is se- 

 cured. 



If W. B. K. has the right kjnd cf land he 

 should try a few rods and report to the Far- 

 mer the result. E. Hersey. 



Bingham, Mass., Nov. 27, 1868. 



For the Xew England Farmer. 



MENTAL CULTUP.S "MAKUKH,.-OVEK- 

 WOBKIJVG. 



There is nothing more important to the far- 

 mer, or indeed to any other business man, than 

 first to know the effect of causes, and then the 

 causes of effects. The mere fact that certain 

 things produfc certain effects, is not enough. 

 Many know that corn when planted on old 

 manure produces better than when planted on 

 green manure. The effect is understood while 

 the cause is often unknown. 



It is sometimes said that one must be a 

 thinking man to be a good mechanic, but that 

 any fool can be a farmer. But mechanics, 

 merchants and professional men who try farm- 

 ing find that such is not the case. To be a 

 succes^ful farmer it is of the utmost import- 

 ance that we study our business well. Intel- 

 ligence, industry and economy are essential to 

 the prosperous farmer. 



When I see a farm with good substantial 

 fences, and no loose gates torn from their 

 hinges, or old blinds hanging from the Avln- 

 dow frame by one hinge, I should not fear to 

 drive into his door-yard in the night. I should 

 not expect to confrot a huge dog, or smash 

 against an old cart. His chains, his ploughs, 

 his harrows, his cultivators, hoes, and all other 

 tools, will be found in their proper places, 

 and well cleaned, when not in use. Order is 

 economy. It costs less to take care of tools 

 than to hunt for them. But there may be a 

 mistaken economy. To spend three hours in 

 raking scattering spsars of hay, that when 

 weighed would not amount to ten pounds ; or 

 to use up one's strength and perhaps an axe on 

 some old hard knots, for an armful of wood, 

 may cost more than it comes to. 



I saw a man, yesterday, who said he must 

 use a little more economy ; his family was very 

 expensive ; farming didn't pay, and he was 

 going to stop his paper. I thought it might 

 prove like splitting tough knots, or raking 

 three hours for ten pounds of hay. 



I believe it is a slow way to learn Avithout 

 some means of learning, and that a good far- 

 mer's paper is a great help, indeed almost in- 

 dispensable, especially to young farmers. If 

 we get all our knowledge by our individual 

 experience, we may find it a good but dear 

 school. A whole year may be re(iuired for a 

 single experiment. We should profit by the 

 experience of others. But at the same .time, 



"He that by the plough would thrive 

 Himself must either hoKl or drive." 



Manure is the life of farming. The ques- 

 tion should be, how shall we make the most of 



