CRANBERRIES. 125 



Many experiments have been made to cultivate the cranberry, 

 with more or less success ; the experiments and results of them 

 made by cultivators residing near the sea-shore are much Avanted, 

 and should be communicated to the public. 



Varieties — There are several known varieties, such as 



1. The American Cranberry, (Oxycoccus Macrocarpus.) 



2. Common or Swamp Cranberry, (Oxycoccus Palustris.) 



3. Scotch Cranberry, (Vaccinium vitis ida;a.) 



4. High bush Cranberi'y, (viburnum opulus) 



The first (American Cranberry) was introduced into England 

 by Sir Joseph Banks, and by him made a subject of garden culture; 

 and though a native of North America, Is now esteemed one of the 

 cultivated fruits of Great Britain. 



Of these varieties there are several species known by their pe- 

 culiar shape and color, and all valuable. Whether the intermixture 

 of the plants will vary or improve the fruit, remains to be tested 

 by experiment, and we commend It to the attention of cultivators. 

 The theory of propagation in regard to other plants, may equally 

 apply to this. The pollen of one kind falling on the blossom of 

 another, may so change the distinctive characteristics of the cran- 

 berry as to essentially improve the product and multiply its varie- 

 ties — and those (particularly the able Secretary of the Board for 

 Agricultnre) who have paid most attention to this subject, at pres- 

 ent are of opinion that there are practically but two varieties ; who 

 will say that it may not yet rival in diversity, character and quality, 

 other well known fruits now in general use ? The parent peach of 

 oriental countries had so strong an Infusion of the deleterious 

 Prussic acid in it, that it was not deemed safe to eat. The pear 

 of the Romans, (according to Pliny) unless baked or boiled, was 

 "too heavy meat," and yet In modern times, both peach and pear 

 are delicious desert fruit, — many berries, kindred in some respects 

 to the cranberry, are still deemed, and doubtless are, positively 

 poisonous. Yet the cranberry, whether grown on upland or in 

 beach land, is both an excellent fruit for the table and a valuable 

 product for the mai-ket. 



The many experiments made, and being made, at Cape Cod, 

 Cape Ann, Ipswich beaches, Marblehead, and other places, (If we 

 are fortunate enough to procure the result of these experiments, 



