PREPARING THE GROUND. 41 



this method, that the turf be packed in the pits as tightly 

 as possible, to guard against settling. 



One great advantage in obtaining sand from, beneath 

 muck is, that it is free from the seeds of grasses or weeds. 

 Indeed, the line could be traced between the sand brought 

 from below and that obtained along the shore by the 

 more abundant growth of weeds upon the latter. 



Another argument in favor of Pointsett's plan is, that 

 the meadow may be prepared at less expense by its adop- 

 tion, since neither sand nor turf is to be carried so far. 

 One hundred dollars per acre were paid for removing the 

 turf, and putting on sand two inches in thickness. When 

 the turf is disposed of in this manner, rails or pickets 

 will be required for constructing the surrounding fence. 



The summer months are most favorable for preparing 

 cranberry ground ; since as there is but little water to in- 

 terfere at that time, the work may be pushed forward 

 rapidly. From the 1st of December to the 25th of March 

 bog work cannot usually be performed economically, on 

 account of the frost and water which prevail at that sea- 

 son, impeding the progress of the workmen. 



HEATH PONDS. 



Heath ponds are prepared in much the same manner as 

 swamps. The necessary ditches are first cut, the ground 

 is then turfed, and the turf removed. If the sand under- 

 lying the muck is within reach of the plow, the bottom 

 will be comparatively firm, and the turf may be " hauled 

 off" to good advantage with a pair of horses, attached 

 to an ordinary farm wagon ; and the proper soil for the 

 berries may be obtained by bringing to the surface, with 

 a plow, an inch or two of the white subsoil. 



When the muck is a little too deep to enable the plow 

 to work the sand up, a system of trenching may be re- 

 sorted to, as shown in fig. 13. Let the turf be thrown up 



