STATE POMOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. I23 



A MAINE CRANBERRY BOG. 

 By G. D. LiBBEY, Gardiner. 



It may be of interest to know that the cranberry is one of our 

 native American fruits, which has been cultivated and improved 

 until now it is an important commercial product. While Massa- 

 chusetts raises a large portion of the berries now used there are 

 many grown in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and 

 some in Maine. In fact they can be raised in any of the North- 

 ern states, where nature has provided conditions suitable for 

 their cultivation. The things necessary for the successful culti- 

 vation of cranberries is a level peat bog. One where native 

 berries grow is said on good authority nearly always proves 

 successful. Good clean sand near by an ample supply of water 

 controlled by a dam and available at all times. 



I will tell you something about the bog owned by the Kennebec 

 Cranberry Co., which I am interested in. It is located about 

 seven miles from Gardiner near Togus. It is what at one time 

 was the bed of Alud Mill pond, so called. Mr. Wellman of 

 whom we purchased the property started the culture of cran- 

 berries there over 25 years ago, in the first place cultivating 

 berries he found growing wild. From this start he increased 

 and extended the work until he had ten acres under cultivation, 

 and has raised as high as 500 barrels in a single year. He has 

 shipped them to New York and Boston markets getting good 

 prices and very complimentary letters regarding the color, flavor 

 and keej^ing qualities. We have been interested in this work 

 only three years. The first year we had a very small crop, 

 owing I presume to a frost in June. Last year there was a fair 

 yield. This year about 300 barrels which I should say is a good 

 average crop for this locality. I understand this to be a small 

 yield for Massachusetts. We are now laying out new beds the 

 width of the bog which is about 60 rods wide. In the first place 

 we put a ditch around the whole piece with enough cross ditches 

 to take the water from the beds with dispatch for it is of utmost 

 importance that it be arranged so this can be done when we have 

 to flow for frosts and pick the next day. After this work is 

 done the whole surface is turfed, that is all of the grass roots 



