COSMOS CRANBERRY 77 



had in September. An early-flowering strain of dwarf Cos- 

 mos has been offered by the trade for several years ; and 

 each year there seems to be an improvement in the size and 

 colors, so the time may shortly come when this will equal 

 the late-flowering varieties, making the culture of Cosmos 

 more satisfactory. Cosmos flowers are borne on long 

 stems, and the colors are in white and fine shades of red. 

 The foliage is also fine. Seed should be sown in gentle 

 heat, in the greenhouse, hotbed or window in early April, 

 and the young plants transplanted when 2 inches high, 

 setting the plants well down in the soil and giving at least 

 3 inches between the plants, as they are very likely to spin- 

 dle up, with weak stems, if crowded. When danger of frost 

 is over, set them out in a warm, well sheltered position, 

 3 feet apart. After the plants start into growth, pinch 

 out the top to induce a bushy growth. If situated where 

 the wind can whip them, they should have a stake driven 

 close to the stem, and be tied to it for support. Flowers 

 of Cosmos are on the order of single Dahlias. 



Cranberry. The growing of Cranberries in ar- 

 tificial bogs is an American industry. The common large 

 Cranberry of markets is also a peculiarly American fruit, 

 since it is unknown in other countries except as the fruit is 

 shipped there. Cranberries are grown in bogs, which may 

 be flooded. The whole area is kept under water during the 

 winter time, largely to prevent the plants from winter in- 

 jury by the heaving and freezing and thawing of the bogs. 

 Flooding is also employed at intervals for the purpose of 

 drowning out insects, mitigating drought, and protecting 

 against frost and fires. Every good Cranberry bog should 

 have facilities for flooding. The ordinary practice is to choose 

 a bog which has a creek running through it, or through 

 which some creek or ditch may be diverted. At the lower 

 side of the bog flood gates are provided, so that when the 

 gates are shut the water backs up and floods the area. It 

 is best that the bog be comparatively flat, so that the water 



