CRANBERRY CULTIVATION 423 



up. It is expensive, the vines are apt to be old and stunted, an 

 even "stand" can rarely be secured, and many pernicious weeds 

 and bushes are introduced. Cuttings are now used exclusively. 

 These are made from vigorous runners, and are six or eight, 

 inches in length. They are thrust obliquely through the sand, 

 about an inch and a half or two inches of the tip being allowed 

 to project. They are set in early spring, about fourteen inches 

 apart each way. In two or three weeks they begin to grow, and 

 in three or four years a full crop is obtained. The subsequent 

 cultivation consists in keeping the bog clean. A small force is 

 employed during the summer months in pulling weeds. Under 

 ordinary conditions it costs from $300 to $500 per acre to fit and 

 plant a bog. 



Opinions vary as to the best times and frequency of flood- 

 ing. There are those who contend that flooding is not necessary, 

 and it is a fact that there are some "dry bogs" which are suc- 

 cessful. It is no doubt true that the value of flooding varies 

 with conditions. It appears to be generally held that bogs are 

 longer lived and more productive if judiciously flooded, and it 

 is certainly true that flooding is often the very best remedy for 

 insect attacks. The reasons for flooding, so far as I know, are 

 five : ( 1 ) To protect the plants from heaving in the winter ; 

 (2) to avoid late spring and early fall frosts ; (3) to drown out 

 insects ; (4) to protect from drought ; (5) to guard against fire, 

 which sometimes works sad havoc in the muck. Mr. Makepeace 

 prefers to flood but once a year, unless insects appear in serious 

 numbers. He lets on the water in December and draws it off 

 in April or early in May. Just enough water is used to com- 

 pletely cover the vines in all parts of the bog. 



There are many hindrances to cranberry-growing. The 

 chief are spring and fall frosts, hail, numerous insects and some 

 fungous diseases. During the summer season the bogs are not 

 flooded, and insects must be kept in check by insecticides. 

 Tobacco water is commonly used. The liquid is applied with 

 hand-pumps from the middle of May to late in June. It is 

 supposed that it has some value as a fertilizer also. 



Fifty barrels per acre is a good crop of cranberries, yet 200 

 barrels have been produced. The grower usually gets from $5 

 to $10 per barrel of 100 quarts. It does not appear to be known 



