102 



of surface is easily shaken. There are many patches where the 

 vines have completely covered the surface, and these Avere full of 

 berries. We saw fifteen able bodied men employed in gathering 

 the berries, and understood that they would be occupied, in this 

 work, for six Aveeks. They were using the rake, but were re- 

 quired to pick by hand any fruit Avhich it did not gather, and thus 

 the whole Avas thoroughly gleaned. 



It is Avorthy of remark how attentive is the OAvner of the 

 meadow to provide for the comfort of these laborers, who are ex- 

 posed to stand in the AA-atcr many hours each day. Probably 

 much of his success may be attributed to his kind treatment of 

 those Avho thus Avrought faithfully and with more than ordinary 

 care for his benefit. 



It may not be improper to state that, for the berries gathered 

 upon this meadoAY last year, the owner received, in a single pay- 

 ment, $3250.00 ; and that the crop was enlarged, the present 

 year, to at least fifteen hundred bushels, Avhich Avas all contracted 

 for hy one firm, at eight dollars per barrel. 



Many of the natural cranberry meadoAvs in this county are lia- 

 ble to much injury from late and early frosts, which destroy, — 

 the one the blossoms, and the other the ripening fruit ; nor can 

 this evil be guarded against, except the advantage be had of 

 easily flowing the land. The danger of such injury, hoAvever, is 

 less upon the seaboard than in the interior, and in the upland cul- 

 ture than in low meadoAvs. Near the sea the finest and most 

 hardy fruit is groAA'n, on beds of pure moist sand, often washed by 

 the waves ; and in other localities, by upland culture, on a good 

 soil, Avith the use of peat, or other absorbent, as a covering. On 

 the borders of large rivers, Avhere freshets occur, the growing 

 crops are often destroyed, by being overfloAved too long. This 

 has been the case, to a great extent, in our OAvn county this year, 

 along the banks of the Charles and Neponset rivers. There is, 

 too, another evil, and Avhich results from the artificial floAving of 

 extensive tracts of meadoAA', for the groAvth or preservation of 

 cranberries. Where the Avater is alloAved, as is commonly the 

 case, to remain upon the meadoAV till after vegetation has com- 

 menced, and is then only gradually removed, or is renewed on 

 the first apprehension of early frost, a malaria is often created, 

 by evaporation, injurious to the health of all nearly exposed to it. 



