FAKMEES' INSTITUTES. 147 



shallow trenches or furrows three feet apart, and as long as you wish to plant, 

 and in tlieso furrows place the vines lengtliwise, allowing the twigs to project 

 upward, and at the same time cover the main vine an inch or so deep with your 

 foot as you proceed along the furrow. It does not matter whether there is a 

 root on the vine or not, as they will grow equally as well without as with. In 

 fact, some growers recommend running the vines through a feed-cutter, and 

 then sowing them broadcast; but this, in our estimation, would look rather 

 slovenly and slip-shod for the progressive age in which we live. 



As soon as the vines are planted irrigation should commence by letting on 

 just water enough to keep the ground moist, and the plants in good growing 

 condition. But little fruit can be looked for in the first two years after plant- 

 ing, and a full crop not until the end of the fourth year. In the fall, as soon 

 as the picking of the crop is done, water should bo turned on, and kept there 

 until all danger of frost is over in the spring, and then, in case of a late frost 

 ■or an attack by the worm or fly, immediate resort must be had to the water, and 

 the whole surface flooded and kept so until the danger of frost is over or the 

 enemy exterminated. 



ITarvesU7ig. 



In harvesting the crop it is best not to be in too great haste to commence, as 

 fruit well ripened on the vine is of much more value than when picked before 

 maturity ; and by having water at command as recommended, the danger from 

 ■early frosts is obviated, and harvesting can be carried along at leisure. 



This facility of better ripening is the chief advantage of the cultivated berry 

 over those grown on the wild marshes, while the latter have to be picked at the 

 ■earliest practicable moment in order to secure them from outsiders, thus destroy- 

 ing their best quality both for taste and keeping. 



In picking, the ground should be accurately staked off in convenient spaces 

 for the pickers, and each one required to take an entire through, for if allowed 

 full liberty they will be inclined to run over the ground to look for better 

 picking, to the damage of the fruit and vines, and the general demoralization of 

 the comj^any. Women and children are the best pickers, and will gather on an 

 average, where the picking is fair, a bushel a day to the hand. 



Marketing. 



As yet the local markets are hardly supplied with this fruit, and the taste of 

 the people increasing each year, making a demand equal to, if not exceeding the 

 supply. Like every other product, a great deal depends upon the manner in 

 which it is put up for market. Many farmers will raise a fair crop of grain, 

 but by the slovenly manner in which it is marketed they lose nearly all the 

 profit there is in the crop, while others will take grain of a lower grade, and by 

 better cleaning and preparation get the better price of the two. So it is with 

 the cranberry : apjjearance has a great deal to do with its market value. Thor- 

 ough cleaning, and the picking out of all soft or wormy berries, is absolutely 

 necessary. Putting up in attractive packages is an advantage not to be over- 

 looked, but at the same time let it be distinctly understood what the package 

 contains, and never try to palm off a basket for more than it contains. 



In conclusion, and in reply to many inquiries as to the profitableness of cran- 

 berry culture, I would say, that where all the requirements can be brought 

 together in combination with brain and capital, and with a good stock of perse- 

 verance and patience, a fair return for the money invested can be looked for. 



