INDIAN CORN. 147 



it, sloping from the hill to the edge of the pond. The reason 

 for this is, that if it is not done, water from the hills will cause 

 the land to be springy and spongy, and that it will make stag- 

 nant water, which generates a green, slimy moss, which is an 

 enemy to the cranberry vine. 



Dead sand, water and air are the elements upon which the 

 cranberry feeds best, and attains its highest degree of perfec- 

 tion ; therefore, that soil and location which has these advan- 

 tages is best adapted for the growth of the berry. 



Peat is found to be excellent, in fact next in value and im- 

 portance to beach sand, for the growth of the cranberry ; but it 

 wants management and care in its preparation, in order to be 

 made useful to the vine. In selecting a peat swamp to be con- 

 verted into a cranberry patch, it is necessary to take off the top 

 turf or grass, and if possible give the yard a little incline. 

 When this is done, it is unsafe to plant at once ; if you do so, 

 you will find that the peat will cake and crack. It will be hard 

 on the surface, and a few inches below stiff and dry. The most 

 inexperienced in cranberry cultivation knows that such a con- 

 dition is bad for the vine. 



To obviate the difficulty, prepare the surface as is stated 

 above, and leave the yard exposed to the frost and weather for 

 one year. When the frost is thawed out of it, it will crumble 

 and be powdery. It will never cake afterwards. It will be 

 light and porous, and you may then with safety plant your 

 vines, and with moderate attention they will do well. 



Israel H. Sheeman, Chairman. 



INDIAN CORN. 



ESSEX. 



Statement of J. C. and R. Jaques. 

 The crop of Indian corn which we have entered for premium 

 grew upon one acre of land. The soil is a liglit loam and was 

 ploughed for this crop the first time for seven years. It was 

 ploughed in the fall, and again in the spring, about eight inches 

 in depth. Nine cords of manure were used, five of which were 



