CULTIVATION OF CRANBERRIES. 87 



the Bugle classes. With our little knowledge of cranberries, 

 we speak of them, usually, as we sometimes do of strawberries, 

 as Scarlets, Woods, or Tines. But these are only general 

 terms, and we have learned that every Scarlet is not an Early 

 Virginia, nor every Pine a Moyamensing. We shall yet learn 

 as much of cranberries. 



Improved Varieties. — Some effort is usually made, in plant- 

 ing vines, to select the best; but I have never seen, in our 

 country, a large bed entirely of one, or two, or even three 

 varieties. If every person engaged in cranberry growing would 

 select, each year, a single plant of the most prolific kind, or one 

 bearing the finest berries, and set it apart from others, propa- 

 gating from runners only, the best sorts might be tested 

 thoroughly. Then let the various growers compare notes 

 yearly, give the very best sorts each a name and a character to 

 start in the world with, and very great improvement must be 

 the result. 



But tliere is still another field of operations ; — it is to raise 

 new varieties from seed. It is not necessary to say much on 

 this point. It is something that can be done, and will be done, 

 until substantial advance is made in this as in other fruit and 

 other agricultural productions. But pray, Messrs. Cultivators, 

 ptjry don't impose upon each other, and the more ignorant 

 public, by sending out inferior varieties as worthy of attention. 

 Don't propagate shams. Don't give fictitious characters to any 

 sort, whether good, bad, or indifferent. One who don't fear 

 the outward disgrace of deceiving others and selling humbugs, 

 should still dread to feel the littleness of a mean soul within. 

 Few farmers may need such w^ords — I hope none. Look to 

 the seedlings, then, for time and attention and skill shall make 

 improvements in these, as they have in currants and goose- 

 berries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Room, 

 room, then, for extra nice varieties of cranberries — the Brighton 

 Pines, Hovey's Seedlings, and Scarlet Magnates of the swamps 

 and meadows. 



The marshes and bogs of Essex may yet glow with scarlet 

 and crimson fruit far superior to any that can be gathered from 

 them to-day. 



But one thing more I desire to allude to. It is, the impor- 

 tance of adding one more to the staple productions of our 



