54 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



needed. Thus, there seems to be much truth in the remark 

 which I have often heard on this subject : " Give us sand and 

 ■water enough, and we can grow cranberries to any extent." 

 So far as my own observation extends, the fruit grown on pure 

 white sand, is quite equal in point of size and firmness to that 

 grown on upland. More experiments, may, however, show fur- 

 ther advantages in its extended culture on upland. 



It should be remarked that it will be well to spend sufficient 

 time in planting the vines, to do it properly, since they will 

 thus get an earlier start, and sooner cover the ground. In the 

 case of one plantation, visited during the process of trans- 

 planting, after the sand had been filled in and levelled, a line 

 was carefully drawn and marks were made in the sand, eighteen 

 inches one way, and one foot the other, when holes were dug 

 three inches deep by one man with the hoe, while another fol- 

 lowed, dropping five or six roots into each hole, and after him 

 followed a boy who pressed the sand carefully about them. In 

 this way, an acre was quickly planted. 



No manure is needed for the cranberry. Indeed, from what 

 has been said, it will be evident that the poorer the ground 

 the better. In the experiments which have come under my 

 observation, where manure was used, it caused the coarse grass- 

 es to grow abundantly, to the injury of the cranberry plants, 

 which were not apparently benefited by the manure. But in 

 cases of upland culture, swamp muck is often used about the 

 vines, and with apparent profit. 



In the case of vines growing naturally, it will be found ad- 

 vantageous to spread over them occasionally, a thin covering 

 of sand. 



Time of Planting. — If the cranberry is to be raised from 

 seed, it may be sown in the fall or in the spring. For some 

 reasons the latter is preferred, and the month of May is select- 

 ed. It is better to crush the fruit and separate the seed from 

 the pulp, though the latter is not necessary. The berry is 

 sometimes crushed and mixed with sand, by which means the 

 sowing is made more easy. 



If the plants are to be propagated by cuttings, the spring is 

 considered as preferable. The ground should be moist, but 

 not liable to be flowed immediately after planting. 



