CRANBERRIES. 121 



the most ignorant. The second method which may be adopted 

 with confidence is, to visit those yards from which we intend to 

 purchase, at those parts of the year when the vine is blossom- 

 ing, or the fruit is developed. In seeing them at such seasons 

 the intending cultivator may protect himself against imposition. 

 Without eitlier having one or the other of these advantages, even 

 the most experienced are liable to be mistaken in the quality of 

 the vines they buy. The healthy vine, by some cultivators, is 

 stated to be of medium thickness, or strength of spear, and 

 bushy leaves. All the barren vines which we have examined 

 are stouter and stronger in appearance than the yielding ones. 



V. Planting Vines. In removing the cranberry vine from 

 its native bog, or even from the yard in which it is cultivated, 

 we believe that all prefer to have it remain there until they are 

 prepared to plant or set out — though some say that the vine 

 will not suffer if it is taken out of the soil and put in a damp, 

 warm cellar, and kept there through the winter months ; yet the 

 former method is most generally followed. 



The time of planting is wholly to be determined by the ad- 

 vantages which are possessed by the cultivator. If he can flood 

 the ground which is to be planted over, then fall planting is 

 preferred and recommended. We can, in support of this, quote 

 the opinions of many successful cultivators on Cape Cod, but 

 deem a mere reference to one or two names as sufficient, under 

 this head. 



Spring planting is best to be followed, by those who cannot 

 flood their locations. Because, if they planted in the fall, and 

 were not flooded, they would be thrown up out of the soil by 

 the frost. Experience has taught, that in the spring, say in 

 May or June, vines may be planted to better advantage than in 

 the fall. 



The methods of planting are various. These we will, briefly 

 as possible, enumerate : — 



1. Sod Planting. This is the oldest plan, and some adhere 

 to it with great tenacity. In planting the sod on which the 

 vine was found, it was liable to produce grass, weed, and foul 

 stuff, which filled up the yard, and thus retarded the thriftiness 

 of the vine. 



2. Separating the vines from the sod, and freeing them from 



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