CHAPTER XII. 



THE CRANBERRY. 



THE American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpoii) is much 

 larger than the European (V. oxy coccus), and superior in flavor. 



While growing it is light 

 green, changing to a light or 

 dark red, crimson, or mottled 

 color, as it ripens. It blos- 

 soms in June, and the fruit 

 ripens in September and 

 October. The running stems 

 are often several feet in 

 length, the small oblong 

 leaves remaining during win- 

 ter, on the approach of which 

 they become brown. There 

 are three leading varieties, 

 with various intermediate 

 grades. The Bell cranberry 



Fig. 492. Bell Cranberry. (Fig. 492) IS SO Called from its 



peculiar form ; the Bugle (Fig. 493) somewhat resembles a bugle 

 head ; and the Cherry (Fig. 

 494) is nearly round. 



The cranberry is success- 

 fully cultivated in this country 

 between 38 and 45 north 

 latitude ; but its limit may 

 extend further southward in 

 the mountain ranges. 



SOIL. 



The best soil and situation 

 consist of peat and muck bot- 

 toms, COated with pure Sand Fig. 493. Bugle Cranberry. 



obtained from adjacent banks, and the ground thus prepared to be 



