188 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
It should also be kept in mind, that no other soil than the 
alluvium—that is, soil made by deposits from the overflow or 
wash of water, such soil being decomposed, (or partially so,) 
vegetable matter, combined with silex—will successfully pro¬ 
duce the cranberry; and this matter has been so often tested 
at the east, it may be considered as an established fact. There¬ 
fore, all soils not of this nature are to be avoided. Clay and 
loam will prove fatal to the plant. 
Another consideration, and it is an important one, is the fa¬ 
cilities for drainage and flowing. For the latter purpose, it is 
desirable that a sufficient supply of water should be had at all 
seasons, especially during the fall and early winter, as flowage 
proves a great protection to vines against the extreme cold, 
destroys all insects and their germs and fertilizes the land. 
Thorough and rapid drainage is equally important; the best 
drained land produces the largest berries, and unless the water 
can be taken off rapidly, the vines are liable to serious dam¬ 
age in the warm season, by heavy rains. 
The vines on our marshes, before they were improved by 
ditching, have been often injured in consequence of the water 
remaining on them during the warm weather, and it required 
one or more seasons for them to recuperate and come again into 
bearing. 
Ditches and Dams. —The first work to be done on a marsh 
« 
for growing cranberries, whether stocked with vines or not, 
should be its drainage. The number of ditches, their width 
and depth will depend much on its condition and location, but 
thorough and rapid drainage is the object to be attained. If the 
land is quite level, the more numerous the lateral ditches 
should be. The main ditch should be at least thirty inches 
deep, and in width from six to ten feet, according to the area 
of the marsh to be drained. The lateral ditches should be not 
less than two feet wide, and if there is but little descent, not 
more than five rods apart, but if the water moves off quickly, 
twice that distance will answer. A good slope should be given 
to the ditches, as the sides will be less liable to cave than when 
cut perpendicular. 
