80 MxiSSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



lands, that now produce only small crops of poor grass, and 

 worthless crops of moss and weeds. Such soil is excellent for 

 cranberries. Indeed, cranberries of many varieties, and of good 

 quality, grow spontaneously along the borders and elsewhere on 

 these meadows in all parts of the county. Thus, we have 

 suitable lands ; we have good vines ; the crop can be profitably 

 grown ; there is no reason why we should not succeed m this 

 comparatively new branch of agriculture. 



I will note some points that may be of value to beginners. 

 First : 



Select Ground that can he Overflowed. — Tliis is essential to 

 the best success. On all meadow, bog or peaty soils, the vines 

 should be covered with water, from twelve to twenty inches 

 deep in winter. This is especially important where the vines 

 are kept free from moss, as they should be. A more shallow 

 depth of water is not so good, for it is liable to become frozen 

 quite through in extreme cold weather. In that case the ice 

 might seriously injure the vines. On some peculiar sandy 

 soils cranberry vines will do very well without winter flooding. 

 But in our severe climate, they arc in all cases much the better 

 for such winter protection. There are other benefits — and very 

 important ones — to be derived from the use of facilities for 

 overflowing. The prevention of injury by spring frost, is one ; 

 the destruction of the cranberry worm is another. I may 

 allude to these in another place. Another point is, to 



Make the Ground Clean. — Clear off all bushes and rubbish, 

 and take off the turf to such depth that sedge grass and weeds 

 will not spring up from their roots and grow again. The value 

 of this turf, when piled and rotted, or composted, as a dressing 

 for uplands, is usually greater than the cost of clearing it off 

 and hauling. But if it were of no value, its removal is a work 

 that should be done before planting the vines. Tlie surface of 

 the o-round must be made smooth, and should be nearly level. 

 A very slight inclination towards the drains is often useful, but 

 is not absolutely essential if tlie soil is sufficiently porous. If 

 the ground is all nearly at one level, the water may be kept at 

 just the right height to give the needed moisture to the whole 

 field of vines. Tliis is important, especially in dry seasons. 



Draining' is often required to bring meadows into a workable 

 condition. One leading drain or open ditch, with a free outlet, 

 is always needed in such lands. 



