22 FIRST GROWERS. 



berry a leading article of importance and profit on 

 their farms. Up to tliat time little was known of how 

 the vine should be managed. 



The first cultivators were beset with difliculties — 

 these were numerous ; and so great were they deemed, 

 that some individuals gave up in despair. These diffi- 

 culties we will briefly sketch, that the reader who con- 

 templates making a cranberry yard may not be dis- 

 couraged by what he may deem hardships and ob- 

 stacles in his way. 



There was a general ignorance of the nature and 

 habits of the vine. Some vines were foimd on the 

 edges of swamps and ponds, and their runners would 

 seem to avoid the water, and seek the dry upland. 

 This led to the opinion that a dry situation was best 

 adapted to the wants of the cranberry ; accordingly, 

 some planted the vine in locations that were rather 

 dry and arid. They lingered on for a time, looked 

 sickly, blighted, and stunted in their growth, yielding 

 but little or no fruit. Some who tried this method 

 were discouraged. 



The cranberry vine is likewise found away from the 

 edges of the bogs and swamps ; situated in the centre 

 of these are small mounds and tufts of soil that are to 

 be met with in abundance. On these elevations the 

 vine is often to be found. It will throw its runners 

 down to the water, and from this fact, the conclusion 



