PRACTICAL PAPERS—CRANBERRY CULTIVATION. 189 
In building the dam, it would be well to keep in mind “ that 
a thing that is worth doing is worth doing well,” especially in a 
matter of this kind, and it is a good rule to make the base in 
width equal, or nearly so, to once and a half the height neces¬ 
sary to raise the water. There should be a space of at least 
two feet between the base of the dam and the ditches running 
parallel with the dam. If the material from these ditches is 
alone used for the construction of the dam, it cannot be de¬ 
pended on to hold the water unless allowed to settle one year 
before the water is raised against it; but if sand is used for 
filling the center, and the ditch below the dam is also filled 
with it, the water can be raised against it immediately if neces¬ 
sary. The width of the parallel ditches above and below the 
dam should be equal to the necessary height of the dam—the 
sods being cut in equal width and lengthy and laid up on edge, 
breaking joints in laying up. 
The width of the gate should be greater than that of the 
main ditch, as the parallel ditches are to discharge at the same 
time, and in case of heavy freshets in the spring and summer, 
the water cannot flow off too rapidly. In placing the sills to 
the gate the timbers should rest on the hard soil, if possible, 
but if too deep, after they are in position, fill in around them 
with sand freely, and after planking, it should be well filled 
and rammed down behind. Plank should be driven down in 
front of the gate, extending several feet beyond on each side, 
to prevent the water from working underneath. All the work 
must be thoroughly done to render it effectual and permanent. 
Cultivation and Planting. —The cranberry growers of 
Wisconsin have had but few years’ experience in growing the 
cranberry, and all the cultivation that has been bestowed on 
them has been in putting the marshes in good condition by 
draining and flowing; but good results have followed with the 
comparatively small amount of labor expended in this direc¬ 
tion. Where the marshes were stocked with native vines, ditches 
have been made to take off the surplus water during the warm 
season and dams and gates erected for flooding them during 
