58 CRANBERRY CULTURE. 



crop of cranberries to pay for all the expense of purchas- 

 ing, preparing, and setting out the land. 



But, until the vines are matted, one very important rule 

 must be observed, viz: Keep the meadow thoroughly 

 drained, at least one foot below the surface. It will 

 generally be found necessary to go deeper than that to effect 

 a thorough drainage, without which the vines will not 

 thrive, even if planted on ground well adapted to their 

 growth. By allowing the meadow to remain very wet, 

 the vines may be almost prevented from growing at all. 



When properly drained, a good meadow will become 

 matted in three years, although some of the most perma- 

 nent plantations have required a longer time to come into 

 full bearing, owing to the dampness of the soil. 



For two or three years after putting out the vines, it is 

 best to keep the ground free from grass and weeds, that 

 the plants may have undisputed possession. During the 

 first year a hoe may be used ; but afterward, the grass 

 must be pulled by hand, or taken out with a trowel, to 

 avoid loosening the runners which are rooted in the soil. 

 This weeding by hand, may sound like a very formidable 

 undertaking, but generally it is not, since the turf has 

 been all removed, and poor sand is not very encouraging 

 to the development of plant life. It should be done in 

 August, before the weeds go to seed. 



For two years past, it has cost only $2.50 an acre per 

 annum, to clean " our 20-acre meadow," and next season 

 the expense will not be so great, as the vines are becom- 

 ing well matted over the ground. . 



Some growers assert that it is not necessary to dig up 

 rushes, claiming that the vines will, in time, root them out, ' 

 provided they are mowed off every season, to prevent the 

 formation of seeds. 



Experience has taught us that it does not pay to remove 

 the " Double-seeded Millet " from newly prepared bogs. 

 This (fig. 25) is an annual, producing seed under ground 



