CHOICE OF LOCATIONS. 33 



The best savannas are those which contain the most 

 heath ponds, or have a uniform surface of deep, black 

 sand. Of the methods of preparing the various kinds of 

 soil, we will treat in the next chapter. 



MILL-PONDS have been made available by simply draw- 

 ing off the water, and planting vines in their beds. 

 Some, thus treated, have succeeded admirably, while 

 others have failed. Joseph Hinchman, of N. J., owns a 

 meadow -of this character, the bottom of which consists 

 of a mixture of sand and muck, the latter predominating. 

 It was planted in cranberry vines about ten years ago, 



Fig. 7. SECTION OF SAVANNA. 



and we are assured by the owner that its production of 

 fruit has increased every year since that time. A portion 

 of the surface was covered with sand, but that which was 

 not has succeeded quite as well. In most cases, however, 

 it will be found necessary to sand mill-pond bottoms, in 

 order to obtain the proper conditions of soil. Hence, in 

 selecting such locations, it is important to consider well 

 the surroundings. Sand should be abundant, and deep ; 

 and when this is the case, the surface will look barren, and 

 the growth upon it will be somewhat scanty ; frequently 

 consisting of pine, ground oaks, upland huckleberry 

 bushes, etc. High banks and bold shores are desirable, 

 on account of the spring water they afford, which, when 

 properly controlled, becomes exceedingly valuable espe- 

 cially in times of drouth. (See fig. 8.) 



The cranberry requires moisture always near the surface 

 2* 



