38 



CRANBERRY CULTURE. 



will run over them in course of time," which is very true, 

 but the vines will not root in them unless their tops are 

 very much decayed ; and whatever prevents the runners 

 from rooting, is an injury to the meadow, whether it 

 be moss, surface roots, or stumps. But were there no 

 other advantage to be gained, the satisfaction of having 

 one's ground free from such eye-sores is worth the price 

 of removing them, especially after the meadow becomes 

 worth $1,000 per acre, as many in this State now are. 

 Should there be any live roots remaining near the surface 

 for instance, huckleberry or brier roots they may be 

 loosened with a grubbing-hoe, or large iron-toothed rake, 

 and removed on wheel-barrows. 



Having disposed of the stumps and roots, we have now 

 a clear surface of muck, with perhaps only one or two main 



. 11. MAIN AND SIDE DRAINS. 



ditches cut through it; but these would be very insuf- 

 ficient for thoroughly draining a large or wet swamp ; and 

 in consideration of which side drains (fig. 11) must be dug 

 of sufficient number and capacity to drain all parts of 

 the meadow at least one foot, or, better, eighteen inches 

 below the surface. 



In many swamp bottoms it will be found necessary to 

 cut these branch drains two rods apart throughout the 

 entire length of the meadow; their number, however, 

 must depend upon the dampness of the ground, quantity 

 of water to be carried off, etc. It will also be found neces- 

 sary, at times, to dig good deep ditches along the edges, to 

 regulate the spring water. The earth removed from the 

 ditches, which will, of course, be composed of muck, must 



