CHAPTER XII. 



THE CRANBERRY. 



THE American Cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpori) is much 

 larger than the European (F. oxy coccus), and superior in flavor. 



While growing it is light 

 green, changing to a light or 

 dark red, crimson, or mottled 

 color, as it ripens. It blos- 

 soms in June, and the fruit 

 ripens in September and 

 October. The running stems 

 are often several feet in 

 length, the small oblong 

 leaves remaining during win- 

 ter, on the approach of which 

 they become brown. There 

 are three leading varieties, 

 with various intermediate 

 grades. The Bell cranberry 



.Bell Cranberry. (Fig- 49 2 ) IS SO Called from its 



peculiar form ; the Bugle (Fig. 493) somewhat resembles a bugle 

 head ; and the Cherry (Fig. 

 494) is nearly round. " 



The cranberry is success- 

 fully cultivated in this country 

 between 38 J and 45 north 

 latitude ; but its limit may 

 extend further southward in 

 the mountain ranges. 



SOIL. 



The best soil and situation 

 consist of peat and muck bot- 

 toms, COated With pure Sand '1^493. Bugle Cranberry. 



obtained from adjacent banks, and the ground thus prepared to be 



