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REQUIREMENTS FOR CRANBERRY GROWING. 
H. C. LEONARD, M. D., MINNEAPOLIS. 
There seems to be at present a slight revival of interest in the 
subject of cranberry culture in Minnesota. It seems strange that a 
state which has the capability to grow cranberries to the extent thatis 
true of Minnesota, should have done so little to develop it. Ifas 
great efforts were put forth here as in Wisconsin, we certainly could 
produce as many berries and of as good quality as they have done. 
While the literature of the subject has become quite considerable, it 
is, nevertheless,so very much scattered throughout the reports of 
different horticultural, agricultural and cranberry grower’s socie- 
ties, and different horticultural and other journals, as to be practi- 
cally inaccessible to very many of ourpeople. To those who already 
perfectly understand the subject, this paper is not specially ad- 
dressed, neither does the writer presume to cover the whole subject, 
but rather to try to excite intelligent interest and experiment on the 
part of those who may have some facilities for growing a supply of 
this very wholesome fruit. 
About twenty years ago there was some discussion of the subject 
of cranberry culture in this society by O. F. Brand, of Faribault, 
and Seth Kenny, of Morristown, and others; but the most exhaustive 
discussion was contained in a paper read by Rev. J. E. Wood, of De- 
troit, Minn., published in the proceedings of the winter meeting held 
in St. Paul in January, 1875. As to other literature, I would recom- 
mend “White’s Cranberry Culture,’ written from a New Jersey stand- 
point, and “Cranberry Growing,’ by James Webb, of Cotuit, Mass., 
published by the Orange Judd Co., of New York, which, together 
with the reports of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a com- 
plete file of which may be consulted at the Experimental Farm at 
St. Anthony Park, will give a good idea of the subject as they have 
developed it in Massachusetts. The reports of the Wisconsin Cran- 
berry Grower’s Association would give one some idea of what they 
have been doing in that state. Our climate being so nearly identi- 
cal with that of Wisconsin would indicate the experience of Wis- 
consin growers as particularly well worthy of our study. 
When we observe how the wild cranberries grow, we will notice 
that they require a good supply of moisture. We find them grow- 
ing, almost invariably, in wire grass marshes or mossy peat bogs. 
We do not find them where there is a good sod and a good growth 
of valuable grass for hay. They grow above the water in the bogs: 
sending their roots down into the peat where it is either very moist 
or standing full of water. 
Here one thing should be well noted. A peat bog such as wild 
cranberries usually grow in, contains very little plant food in a con- 
dition to be assimilated. It is really very poor land. If you don’t 
