CHAPTER XXII. 



THE CRANBERRY. 



THE American Cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpori) is much 

 larger than the European (V. 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 blossoms in 



June, and the fruit ripens in 

 September and October. The 

 running stems are often sev- 

 eral feet in length, the small 

 oblong leaves remaining dur- 

 ing winter, on the approach 

 of which they become brown. 

 There are three types recog- 

 nized. The Bell type (Fig. 



521) is so called from its pe- 

 culiar form; the Bugle (Fig. 



522) somewhat resembles a 

 bugle head; and the Cherry 

 (Fig. 523) is nearly round. 



While the differences in 

 the external appearance of 



cranberries offered for sale are manifest to the most casual 

 inspection, there seem to be few generally recognized named 

 varieties. In parts of the country where its cultivation is ex- 

 tensively carried on, as Cape Cod, local names have been given 

 to choice kinds, but they are not as yet catalogued by dealers 

 in nursery stock. 



The cranberry is successfully cultivated in this country 

 between 38 and 45 north latitude; but its limit may extend 

 farther southward in the mountain ranges. 



382 



FIG. 521. Bell Cranberry. 



