PEBPAEING THE GROUND. 41 



this method, that the turf hepackedin the pits as tightly 

 as possible, to guard against settling. 



Sand from beneath muck is free from seeds of weeds, 

 etc. The line could be traced between the sand from be- 

 low, and that from along the shore by the growth of 

 weeds*upon the latter. 



Mr. Poin setts' plan is less expensive, since neither 

 sand nor turf is to be carried so far. One hundred dol- 

 lars per acre were paid for removing the turf and spreading 

 on sand two inches in thickness. When the turf is thus 

 disposed of, a surrounding wooden fence must be built. 



The summer months are most favorable for preparing 

 cranberry ground ; since as there is but little water to in- 

 terfere at that time, the work may be pushed forward 

 rapidly. From the 1st of December to the 25th of March 

 bog work cannot usually be performed economically, on 

 account of the frost and water which prevail at that sea- 

 son, impeding the progress of the workmen. 



The present plan of clearing swamps is, to cut down 

 the trees and bushes, build a dam, and flood for two 

 years. This so destroys the vegetation that the vines 

 may frequently be planted at once. 



Heath Ponds. 



Heath ponds are prepared in much the same manner as 

 swamps. The necessary ditches are first cut, the ground 

 is then turfed, and the turf removed. If the sand under- 

 lying the muck is within reach of the plow, the bottom 

 will be comparatively firm, and the tuj-f may be " hauled 

 off" to good advantage with a pair of horses, attached 

 to an ordinary farm wagon ; and the proper soil for the 

 berries may be obtained by bringing to the surface, with 

 a plow, an inch or two of the white subsoil. 



When the muck is a little too deep to enable the plow 

 to work the sand np, a system of trenching may be re- 

 sorted to, as shown in fig. 13. Let the turf be thrown up 



