FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 145 



the others unless in bearing, the fruit is smaller, less tart, and more filled with 

 seeds. At the same time it is a good keeper, and the quality preferred by some. 

 But it cannot be recommended for general cultivation. 



Essentials to Success. 



The four essentials to successful cranberry culture are, first, a bed of muck 

 at least two feet deep, and no matter how much deeper ; second, facility for 

 thorough drainage ; third, an ample supply of running water, with sufficient 

 head to flow the whole ground at any and all times ; fourth, an accessible supply 

 of sand, the whiter and cleaner the better. 



We put muck a? of the first iirportance, not without knowing, however, that 

 it is a mooted question, with some authors on the subject claiming that cran- 

 berries can be grown on almost any soil where any other vegetable growth 

 Avill succeed. But I think this advice should be taken with a good degree 

 of caution. The cranberry is one of the most tart fruits grown, and in 

 order to grow it successfully a supply of the essential elements must be provided ; 

 and nothing, so far as our observation or experience goes, so nearly supplies this 

 want as a bed of muck. "While there may be locations on the sea-shore, almost 

 wholly of sand, which, by its long contact with water and vegetable matter may 

 have become so filled with acid as to form a good and permanent supply of this 

 essential element in cranberry culture, I am satisfied that in the west our reli- 

 ance must be on muck. We place 



Drainage 



as of next greatest importance, from the well-established fact that stagnant 

 water is not conducive to vegetable growth or life, and in order to avoid it, as 

 well as to have complete control of tlie grounds, the matter of drainage should 

 be carefully looked after : and with myself, were all the otlier essentials perfect, 

 and this one lacking, I should abandon the spot wdthout a moment's hesitation. 

 And in the selection of ground for a plantation, the first consideration should 

 be the facilities for drainage. The next important element is 



Water. 



Although for the sake of order it is put in the third place of importance, 

 in practical application it should be the first, for without it cranberry culture 

 would be a failure ; and however flattering in every other respect the prospect 

 may be, without this my advice would be to let it alone, — or at most toncli it 

 with caution. With water the vine is stimulated to production, and protected 

 from the inclemency of the elements, wdiile the fruit, in its various stages of 

 growth, from blossom to maturity, can be protected from its enemies, the fly, 

 the worm, and frost, by the free use of water. And we would repeat again the 

 importance of having an ample supply of Avater available, and at the command 

 of the grower at all times. The fourth element. 



Sand, 



Should be what is usually termed beach sand, or tlie nearest possible approach 

 to it, as any considerable portion of soil intermixed with the sand is conducive 

 to the growth of weeds and grass, elements to be dreaded beyond all others by 

 the cranberry culturist. Sand performs three important offices : the first of 

 which is that it furnishes a fertilizing material important to the growth of the 

 plant; second, by the radiation of heat, it assists in maturing, ripening, and 



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