838 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
indication that the soil is suitable is the 
occurrence of wild cranberries. 
Topography Drainage and Climate 
The topography of the land should be 
such that the water can be thoroughly 
and easily controlled for irrigation, flood- 
ing and drainage. The land should be 
almost but not perfectly level in order 
that the bogs can be flooded and the water 
quickly drained off after flooding. It 
should have a drainage outlet with suf- 
ficient fall to thoroughly drain the land 
to a depth of at least four feet. 
The land should be protected from high 
winds and storms and should have good 
air drainage, which will greatly aid in 
protecting the crops from frost. 
There are only certain climates in 
which cranberries will produce profitable 
returns. The occurrence of wild cran- 
berries is an indication that the climatic 
conditions are favorable. 
Sand 
Experience has shown that to secure 
the highest success and a clean lasting 
bog and particularly so on the Pacific 
coast, it is essential that there be an avail- 
able supply of coarse, clean sand free 
from silt clay, humus or vegetation or 
seeds. This sand retains the heat and 
moisture, prevents excessive weed growth, 
aids in frost prevention and in combina- 
tion with the peat forms an ideal soil for 
the plants. 
Water 
Without doubt the most important re- 
quirement for a profitable cranberry bog 
is the water supply. It is the means of 
insuring a profitable crop each year. It 
must be fresh water and there must be 
an abundant supply available at all times. 
It is used for the purpose of irrigating, 
flooding for frost protection, flooding for 
protection from insects and plant diseases 
and in some localities as protection from 
winter killing. The water supply may be 
secured either by gravity or by. pumping. 
Where pumping is resorted to it is some- 
times possible to drain the bogs into the 
source of supply and thus use the same 
water over several times. 
Other requirements to be considered are 
accessibility and convenience to cities; 
transportation facilities, both railroad and 
highway; available labor supply; comfort- 
able and healthy living conditions; stor- 
age facilities and markets. 
Construction 
The success of a cranberry bog will de- 
pend largely on the manner in which it 
is constructed, for after a bog is once 
Fig. 1. 
sanding. 
six feet below the bog. 
Part of a Thirty-Acre Tract of O. B. Estes of Astoria, Oregon. In the foreground 
is the sand pit from which the bog was sanded and also the track and cars used in 
A large lake of about 300 acres is at the far end of the bog and is about 
It is intended to water from this lake for irrigation and 
flooding and to drain all the water back into the lake. 
