The Cranberry. 475 



capable of being flooded with clear running water at pleasure dur- 

 ing winter, and thoroughly drained at other times. Drift soils have 

 proved unsuccessful. Muddy water running over the plants injures 

 them. 



In preparing the soil all wood and rubbish must be cleared off, 

 and the surface or " turf" removed with a hoe made for the purpose. 

 It is then provided with drains by clearing out the main water- 

 course, and making parallel open side ditches at regular distances 

 of about two rods. The whole surface is then covered from four to 



Fig. 494. Cherry Cranberry. 



six inches with pure sand, which is conveyed from the adjacent 

 bank in dump cars, run by hand on portable and movable wooden 

 rail- tracks. An embankment or small dyke surrounds the whole 

 and allows the plantation to be flooded at pleasure. 



Setting the plants. After sanding, the plants are set in rows 

 about two feet apart. Some prefer a greater distance, to admit 

 more freely the passage of a horse cultivator. They should be ten 

 or twelve inches in the row. 



Flowing should be continued from December to May, and fur- 

 nishes, among other advantages, protection from insects as well 

 as from early frosts. 



The plantation should be carefully kept clear of weeds for the 

 first two or three years, after which, if well managed, the cranberry 

 plants will cover the surface and render this labor comparatively 

 light. 



Gathering the fruit is begun in September, and lasts several 

 weeks. Good pickers will gather three bushels a day. 



