WILD FRUITS WORTHY OF SOME ATTENTION. 291 



management of the plants began on the Atlantic coast 

 from 1835 to 1840. Since that time tens of thousands of 

 acres of land, almost or wholly worthless for other uses, 

 have been planted. In many cases low boggy tracts on the 

 Atlantic coast and in "Wisconsin, that bred miasmatic dis- 

 eases, have been changed into handsome fruit gardens that 

 are not only profitable but inviting and healthful. In 

 some respects the systematic growing of the cranberry is 

 like growing the rice-plant for crops, as it involves both 

 flooding and arrangements for partial drying of the land 

 at stated periods. At Cape Cod, in New Jersey, and in 

 Wisconsin, the preparation of the land and the manage- 

 ment of the plants and crops are about the same. The 

 first work is usually clearing away the sod and moss and 

 levelling. But if very wet the ditches are first excavated 

 around blocks of the marsh, all leading to an outlet on a 

 lower level. Where possible, this main outlet of the 

 ditches is provided with a dam with gates to flood the 

 whole plantation when needed. In many cases a brook is 

 diverted from its course to flow through the ditches. In 

 other cases a reservoir is constructed on a higher level from 

 which water can be supplied as needed. In Wisconsin the 

 plantations are quite usually started near a stream from 

 which water can be drawn into a reservoir. This is pre- 

 ferred, as the stream water is often too cold. Usually the 

 land has enough sand. But if not four inches of sand is 

 spread over the surface, after turfing and clearing, in 

 which the plants are set. The best method of planting 

 observed by the writer is to set out the plants one foot 

 apart, cover the roots lightly, and then firm the earth by 

 stepping over the roots. The plants should be kept moist. 

 But often cuttings are used six to eight inches long with 

 leaves on, which are stuck at an angle in the moist sand 

 with an inch or two of the cutting exposed to the air. A 



