MANAGEMENT OP MEADOWS. 63 



Peruvian guano causes a wonderful growth of vines, 

 and, in some cases, might prove beneficial if applied with 

 care, but little guano being required. 



Ashes, provided they are spread on the ground before 

 plowing, may be profitably used where muck is deficient. 



Lime, marl, and stable manure might improve the 

 vines, but, since they have a tendency to bring in weeds 

 and grass, we would not recommend their use. 



Mud deposits, formed by the washing of rich uplands, 

 are so productive of grass, etc., that successful cranberry 

 culture upon them would be exceedingly uncertain, such 

 is the character of many of our river marshes and mead- 

 ows, subject to tidal influence; and it 4s very doubtful 

 whether sufficient drainage to grow cranberries could be 

 obtained by diking, ditching, and building sluice gates, 

 as is done in reclaiming grass lands. 



Flooding might be resorted to under such circumstances 

 for subduing the grass, but these situations are not con- 

 sidered desirable, and the chances of success would not 

 warrant one in spending large sums of money upon them 

 without first testing the ground in a small way. 



Unlike most other agricultural productions, cranberry 

 vines, growing upon land adapted to them, require no 

 expenditures for manure or tilling to keep them in good 

 condition. When once established, they will last for 

 years, yielding good returns as regularly as ordinary farm 

 crops. 



These facts, in connection with the high price of the 

 fruit, render cranberry culture a most remunerative busi- 

 ness. 



It requires a very considerable expenditure of labor 

 and money to start the business, and after that, much pa- 

 tience to reap the reward ; but when once a good meadow 

 comes into bearing, he who owns it may congratulate 

 himself upon possessing something that is pleasant to 

 look after, and that is profitable withal. 



