442 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Hand picking and raking were the original methods, and hand picking 

 is still adhered to by many growers. On large bogs machine picking 

 solves the problem of securing the crop during the harvest season, 

 which on Cape Cod usually begins the last of August and continues 

 into October. 



Overripe berries will not keep well, and it is a mistake to pick the 

 fruit when green, for, if marketed, it will bring a low price. If only 

 good, high-colored, sound berries are marketed, the returns will be 

 more satisfactory to the grower. 



When the bog is to be picked by hand, a margin around the section 

 is picked first, usually by men and boys, in the morning before the bog 

 dries off sufficiently for regular picking. This is called ditch-row pick- 

 ing. These berries will be picked while the vines are wet with the 

 morning dew, and only a few of them should be put into each picking 

 box; when the berries are dry, the boxes may be filled up. Care must 

 be taken to have the berries dry when packed in the storehouse, to 

 insure their keeping qualities. Regular picking does not begin until 

 the vines are dry. 



After the margin is picked, the section is ready to be lined off. This, 

 is done with a reel and line, two garden lines and a 3-inch ring. The 

 men who line out the sections walk only on the margin, — which has 

 previously been picked. 



To harvest a 10-acre bog, yielding an average crop, about 50 hands 

 are needed, besides a foreman, 2 men helpers, a tally keeper and a 

 dumper. 



Cranberries should be stored, dry, in a slatted bushel crate, with 

 cleats on each end, to insure good keeping cjualities previous to their 

 being marketed; and while in the storehouse they should receive 

 ventilation, but not be subject to draughts. 



Where native help is scarce, bunk houses are built to accommodate 

 the pickers during the harvesting season. 



Bunk House. — Dimensions, 16 by 40 feet, with a partition through 

 the center, so that one chimney is sufficient for the two ajDartments. 

 In the extreme ends, in the center, are built two tiers of four bunks 

 each, separated by matched board partitions. Each bunk is 4 feet 

 wide, and is supposed to accommodate two persons. The space above 

 the bunks is floored over with matched boards. The boys occupy the 

 loft in one end of the bunk house, and the girls the loft in the oi)posite 

 end. A bunk house arranged on this plan will easily accommodate 60 

 to 75 men, women and children. 



Screen House. — A building with ample capacity for packing boxes, 

 barrels, the harvested crop, and room to clean and pack berries, is 

 essential. A dry, properly ventilated cellar in this building is esiDecially 

 desirable, in which to store the harvested berries previous to packing 

 and shipping to market. 



