248 SMALL FBUIT CULTUBIST. 



Where late spring frosts are known to be frequent and 

 severe, it is best to keep on the full depth of water until 

 there is no longer any risk. The longer the water is kept 

 on, the later will the plants bloom. 



In some locations the plants are covered for about four 

 or five months in winter, while in others, two or three will 

 be sufficient. 



There is no danger of the plants being injured by the 

 water so long as it remains cool, and the later it is kept 

 on, the less the danger of spring frosts injuring the flowers. 

 Sometimes it is beneficial to flow the beds in summer at 

 time of drouth, but in such cases it is only necessary to 

 apply sufficient to give the soil a good soaking. If the 

 water is admitted into the ditches which surround the 

 beds, (if they are not too large,) it will be sufficient to 

 prevent injury from drouth. 



GATHERING. 



Formerly the berries were gathered with an instrument 

 called a Cranberry rake, but of late years this method has 

 been almost entirely abandoned, and hand picking has 

 taken its place. When gathered by hand, the fruit is not apt 

 to be crushed, besides a far less amount of dirt and leaves 

 are mixed with them ; consequently hand-picked fruit will 

 bring a much higher price than any other. Various kinds 

 of baskets, crates, hurdles, <fcc., are used in gathering the 

 fruit ; the main object being to allow all foreign materials, 

 gathered with it, to fall through when being carried in the 

 field, or when spread out to dry. All unsound berries 

 should be carefully picked out before the fruit is packed 

 for market. 



VARIETIES. 



Like other fruits, the Cranberry varies considerably in 

 its wild state ; besides, when cultivated, new variations are 

 constantly occurring. All the varieties in cultivation al 



