104 CORRESPONDENCE. 



pick mj berries by hand, as I am convinced tliere is no 

 advantage in raking them. 



"We have to pick after the rake, and I do not think 

 the vines will bear as well the next year. I flow my 

 meadow about two feet deep in the month of December, 

 and keep it on until the middle of May, when I draw it 

 down, leaving about two inches of water on the surface 

 under the vines, as long as there is any fear of the frosts ; 

 then keep it as near the top of the ground as I can. 

 The rake also bruises the berry, and causes it to rot. 

 I find the cranberry will begin to bear well from three 

 to five years after setting. The cost of cultivation I 

 shall put in round numbers as follows, viz. : Cost of 

 land, $12 per acre ; cleaning, $100 ; vines and setting, 

 $50 ; cost of cultivation, $10 per year — for four years, 

 $40 : total, $202. But the top that we take off is worth 

 $20 for manure, leaving $182. Interest for four years, 

 makes $229.34 per acre. My four-year-old vines that 

 are clear from grass (say half an acre more or less), 

 will average three hundred bushels per acre. I have 

 been offered $2.50 per bushel above the cost of pick- 

 ing, which gives one a clear profit over and above the 

 cost of land and cultivation on the half acre, of 

 $260.33. I do not gather my berries until they are 

 ripe ; for if picked while green, they are bitter and un- 

 fit for use ; although by spreading they may become 

 quite red, still they are not worth half price. 



