26 



one failure from frost, and that arose from neglect to let on the 

 water during a cold night in spring. The water can be made to 

 cover the vines in an hour and a half. The crop this year, on 

 the cultivated plantation, was very large. Upwards of one hun- 

 dred people were engaged in picking at the time of our visit, and 

 about three hundred bushels of fruit had been gathered. The 

 best portions of the plantation yielded four hundred bushels to the 

 acre. There seemed literally to be as many berries as the ground 

 and the vines could possibly produce. They were large, dark- 

 colored and heavy — the quality being so superior that an extra 

 price had been offered for them. We understand that the aggre- 

 gate yield was 1050 barrels, and that they sold at an average of 

 $10 per barrel. We had no opportunity to obtain the particulars 

 in regard to the cultivation of this cranberry plantation, but we 

 hope Dr. M. will, on a future occasion, furnish for the annals of 

 the Society, those interesting and important facts. 



Of the farm of Walter H. Fisher, which, as previously stated, 

 was ftiis year entered for the premium offered for the best culti- 

 vated farm, something has been said in former reports of the 

 Committee. It has long been known as a well-managed farm. 

 The cardinal principles of Mr. F.'s management are evidently 

 ORDER and NEATNESS, and there can be no doubt that agricultural 

 operations conducted on this basis, produce the greatest results in 

 proportion to the expense. This is strikingly exemplified by Mr. 

 F.'s success. A prominent article in his farming creed is, that 

 he " cannot afford to raise weeds." On this point his practice 

 certainly corresponds with his faith. His farm, from one end to 

 the other, including the road-sides as far as his land extends, is 

 almost entirely free from every thing that ought not to grow.' 

 The only exception to this, which we noticed, were some rushes 

 and other aquatic plants on a tract of reclaimed swamp, where 

 very large crops of hay have been obtained for several years. 

 The wetness of this season and that of 1862, has probably aided 

 in bringing in this wild vegetation. But we believe it might be 

 entirely eradicated by more perfect drainage. The drains at 

 present are open, and too shallow. If more were made, which 

 Avould effectually cut off the soak from the surrounding and higher 

 ground, and all were cut to the depth of two and a half to three 

 feet, and covered, the effect would probably be to render the hay 

 produced on the tract of more value in the aggregate, on account 

 of its improved quality, even though the quantity should not be 

 increased. The covering of the drains would add an amount of 

 productive soil to the lot corresponding to the space now occupied 

 by the open ditches. 



Mr. F.'s buildings are all attached together, and the different 



