78 On cultivating the American Cranberry. 



adequate idea of ihe method now practised, and at the same 

 time bear testimony in favour of the opinion, that more be- 

 nefit has been derived in the advancement of Horticultural 

 knowledge, by pursuing the hints which nature continually 

 gives, than from the effects of abstract reasoning and original 

 invention. 



It is remarkable that, during the seven years these Cran- 

 berries have been cultivated at Spring Grove, no circumstance 

 has arisen, from the variety of seasons, from blight, or any 

 other circumstance, that has diminished the quantity of a 

 full crop; the flowers have issued out their buds, in abun-* 

 dance, in their due season, and fewer of them have been 

 abortive, than in general is the case in other plants. The 

 fruit has gradually swelled and duly ripened, without being 

 subject to the attack of any vermin, or to injuries of any 

 kind from the excesses of heat or cold, or from those of 

 wetness or of drought. 



Note added by the Author to the Second Edition. 



The crop of 1813 produced three Winchester bushels and 

 a half, which, at five to the gallon, gives one hundred and 

 forty bottles ; each bottle, being on an average the produce 

 of two feet and a half square, is sufficient for one pye. 



