124 CRANBERRIES. 



CRANBERRIES. 



In behalf of the Committee on Cranberries, the undersigned asks 

 leave to report, — 



That irhile public attention is much given to the cultivation and 

 improvement of various kinds of fruits, much more is due to the 

 trailing vine, — the history and culture of which are the subject of 

 this communication. 



The Cranberry, whether wild or cultivated, grown on low or high 

 lands, is fast becoming an element in the profits of agriculture. 



It was formerly supposed to be capable of being grown on mossy 

 bogs, swamps, meadows and sand beaches ; and, though practical 

 culture and recent experiment have partially modified the former 

 theory, it may yet appear that low, wet and sandy lands are best 

 adapted for the successful culture of this desirable addition to the 

 farmer's products. 



The cranberry is a small, round, red, acid fruit, sometimes oblong 

 and pyriform in shape, and quite useful and valuable in the culinary 

 department for tarts and preserves. Of late it has commanded ad, 

 equate and remunerating prices, become more appreciated as a 

 market commodity, and is accordingly receiving (as it deserves) 

 more attention than formerly. Within the present year, it has been' 

 sold for $4,00 and $5,00 per bushel ; though many can remember 

 when heretofore it has been sold for $1,00 and $1,50 per bushel, 

 and rather at these prices a drug in the market. 



On the sandy, low necks of land in Barnstable county, it grows 

 wild and in great abundance, and the people there have annually a 

 festival for gathering its fruit. In 1830, in Lincoln, Mass,, one 

 grower raised 400 bushels of cranberries. A very successful culti- 

 vator near Cape Cod, has converted his sand bogs', and lands cov- 

 ered with bushes into very productive^cranberry beds. _£ His method 

 is simple, and may be easily adopted elsewhere. 



First, drain the land, then remove the brush, then plough the 

 land so cleared, and plant the vine. Or, you may haul beach sand 

 sufficient for a heavy top-dressing ; and having done so, then dig 

 holes three or four feet apart, (perhaps two feet each way apart 

 would be better) and into these'^^holes insert sods with i the vine, 

 which,"when planted, will soon spread over the brush and rush, and 

 coat the surface of the ground. 



