122 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



changes from winter to spring, and spring to summer, more per- 

 ceptible, and the foundation of more certain calculations. 



A new object of culture has been presented by the Trustees 

 the present year, and encouraged in the offer of premiums. 

 Cranberries have hitherto been spontaneous productions, but an 

 increasing demand for the article seems to justify attempts to 

 improve and multiply the fruit by art. We encourage, in this 

 case, the practice of an art concerning which we possess very 

 little knowledge. Applicants must make trials, and gain knowl- 

 edge on the subject from their experience. This, they seem 

 fully prepared to do. Five claims have been entered to the 

 premiums offered for cranberries in 1849, and no two of the 

 competitors are proceeding exactly alike. When the several ex- 

 periments shall be completed, the public will have the results of 

 different trials, and, we hope, some evidence of what is the best 

 method of culture. 



Claims requiring decisions of the committee on improvements, 

 this year, are not very numerous. In the renovation of swamps 

 there have been no very extensive operations the last two years. 

 The applicants for premiums have travelled over very little sur- 

 face, but have wonderfully smoothed the rough places as far as 

 they have proceeded. Bela Mitchell, of Bridgewater, is the only 

 claimant who has given a statement of his operations. He 

 has subdued, since 1844, one acre and twenty-three rods of 

 swamp, which was in a very rough state, and on which great 

 labor has been performed. It is now a beautiful plat of 

 English meadow. The work has been done at an expense of 

 about eighty-five dollars : but, from present appearances, there can 

 be no reasonable doubt of its proving a profitable investment. 

 The award of the first premium, $\5, is recommended. 



Nathan Chandler, of Duxbury, entered a claim for subduing 

 bushes in pasture land. He has subdued the bushes on about 

 six acres. Before his operations commenced, there was little 

 to be seen on the land excepting bushes and rocks. It is now 

 cleared of bushes, and, to great extent, of rocks, and sowed 

 down with rye and grass seed. The work has been done at an 

 expense of about $120. Mr. C. is a young man, hires all his 

 team work, and possibly he will presently discover that there is 



