100 CORRESPONDENCE. 



berries there," he would state that it was a swamp 

 varying from two to five feet in depth of water and 

 springy peat. Beach sand (the only soil we have here) 

 was carried on so as to raise the swamp a few inches 

 above the ordinary height of the water in July, and 

 the vines were set in said sand. 



2. As to the kinds of soil, we have but one kind in 

 this town, and that is pure beach sand ; hence we can 

 " prefer" no other if we would. 



3. Mr. Lathrop is unable to " determine" the cost 

 of preparing the ground and setting his vines. His 

 work has been expensive, as it was preparatory to his 

 future doings. Much of it has been in roads, beach 

 grassing hills, &c. He will bring into vines about 

 seventy acres at much less cost than his four or five of 

 cranberry ground now in good condition. 



4. As to " flooding vines," nature does all that is or 

 can be done in this respect. The water in all our back 

 swamps (and some of these contain several hundred 

 acres) is upon the same level. How can you make it 

 otherwise with beach sand through which the water 

 must filtrate so readily? Vines are now in most 

 places one foot or more from (or above) the water. 



5. The "yield per acre" cannot be definitely deter- 

 mined, as his vines are not regarded as yet fully in a 

 bearing condition. His lot first planted of two or 

 three acres, (he has never measured it) about the sixth 



