Vermont Shrubs and Woody Vines 



163 



THE CRANBERRIES. 



It may surprise some to learn that there are at least three 

 kinds of cranberry native to Vermont. Since all are edible, 

 and one of them is the same as the species so profitably cul- 

 tivated in Massachusetts and New Jersey, it leads one to question 

 why more has not been done with cranberry growing- in Ver- 

 mont. There is no reason apparent why cranberry bogs might 

 not be successfully established at many places in the state. In- 

 deed this has been done by several parties in years past. The 

 native cranberries all have low creeping stems, small evergreen 

 leaves and red berries. The species are distinguished as follows : 

 1. Underside of leaves green and dotted with blackish, bristly 

 points Mountain cranberry. 



1. Underside of leaves whitened and smooth 2. 



2. Leaves acute-pointed, margins rolled strongly backward (re- 



volute) Small cranberry. 



2. Leaves obtuse pointed, margins less revolute Large cranberry. 



LARGE CRANBERRY. Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. 



The large or American cranberry is cultivated in Massa- 

 chusetts, especially at Cape Cod, in New Jersey and Wiscon- 

 sin. The cut shows leaf and fruit relations well. The berries 



are usually spherical or somewhat 

 elongated, red when ripe, one-half 

 inch more or less in diameter, and 

 of characteristic acid flavor. The 

 fruit even in the wild state varies 

 considerably in color and outline, 

 and under culture several such 

 varieties have been developed and 

 named. It is peculiarly an Ameri- 

 can fruit but has already found a 

 large market abroad. The plant is 

 frequent as a native in peat bogs, 

 Large Cbanberby, X i/^. open swamps, or wet shores at 



