ENEMIES AND DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME. 83 



vines become matted, and thoroughly shade the ground, 

 the loss is but slight. 



GRASS AND HUSHES. 



Grass and rushes are not the least of the difficulties to 

 be overcome. They should be removed with a hoe the 

 first season after planting ; but during the second and 

 third years it will be found necessary either to hand-pull, 

 or carefully take them up with a trowel, to avoid loosen- 

 ing the runners. 



The millet-grass, being an exception, need not be dis- 

 turbed, since it will gradually die of its own accord, and 

 make room for the vines. (See Chapter VI.) Even 

 rushes, it is said, if mowed twice a year, to prevent their 

 going to seed, will give place to the vines. They fre- 

 quently grow upon lands that are best adapted to cran- 

 berry culture. 



Late flooding is also a means of destroying grass, etc. 

 (The process is described in Chapter VI.) 



Moss. 



The moss (Polytrichum commune], so prevalent upon 

 lands containing ashes, is objectionable, in that it lifts 

 the runners, and prevents them from rooting in the soil. 

 We know of no better way of disposing of moss than to 

 cover it with an inch or two of sand. 



This remedy may be applied even after the vines are 

 one or two years old ; the runners should be covered, and 

 the upright branches, if possible, left out. The vines, 

 thus established, will put forth runners, and take posses- 

 sion of the clean surface. 



TIP-WORM. 



There are other insects beside the vine and fruit worm, 

 which interfere more or le^s with the cranberry crop, 



