CRAISTBERRY. 233 



of Cranberry culture, we infer that there were very few 

 who attempted its cultivation previous to 1835 or 1840. 

 Since that time there has been a steady increase, until, at 

 the present time, thousands of acres are devoted to the 

 culture of this fruit. Not only have individuals turned 

 their attention to it, but companies have been formed 

 with abundant means to cultivate the Cranberry upon an 

 extensive scale. 



In addition to the benefit derived from having our mar- 

 kets supplied with the fruit, its culture is a source of na- 

 tional wealth, inasmuch as the land devoted to it was 

 previously uncultivated, neither enriching individuals by 

 its productions, nor yielding taxes to the State. 



Many of our low, boggy wastes, which .formerly were 

 sources of miasmatic diseases, have been changed into 

 healthful locations and fruitful fields. 



PROPAGATION. 



To propagate some of our cultivated fruits successfully, 

 requires more or less skill, but the Cranberry may be said 

 to propagate itself. The plant, as it creeps along over the 

 ground, throws out innumerable roots, fixing every por- 

 tion of the prostrate stems to the soil. If these branches 

 do not root as soon as desired, a little earth thrown over 

 them will hasten the process. 



The plants may be taken up and planted whole, or be 

 divided into small pieces, each of which will soon become 

 a strong plant. Even the upright stems may be used for 

 cuttings, and when planted in the spring, they will become 

 rooted by the next fall. 



The small green tips of the growing branches may be 

 taken off in summer, and rooted under a bell-glass, or in 

 ordinary glazed frames. 



Cultivators seldom have recourse to seeds for extending 

 their plantations, but they may be planted for the purpose 

 of producing new varieties as well as multiplying old 



