14 



CRANBEERY CULTURE. 



Color IS the quality most regarded ; light colored fruit 

 is suspected of being unripe. Color affects the price 

 from $1 to $3 per barrel, the darkest fruit bringing 

 the highest price. Dark berries are the most attractive, 

 but pale ones are not always unripe. The fruit of an 

 undescribed New Jersey variety is cream-colored when 

 fully ripe, and remains so. It is large, a good keeper, 

 and inviting on the table. 



Many berries which ultimately turn red, are very light- 

 colored at picking time, while others at that time are 

 entirely red. Those disposed to become red, remain 

 light-colored if shaded by the matted vines. There is a 

 marked difference in the time of coloring of berries that 

 are alike in shape and grown under the same conditions. 



This fact renders the selection of vines for planting an 

 important matter, since a small portion of light-colored 

 berries will, if not removed, seriously affect the sale of 

 the whole lot. 



Vines producing red berries, ripening uniformly, are 

 very desirable ; but there is no way of selecting the best 

 vines, except by a knowledge of the fruit they produce, 

 and this should be had, if possible, before using them. 



In Xew Jersey and the Western States, but little atten- 

 tion has been given to the selection of vines for planting. 

 Some years ago, a variety was discovered on Cape Cod, 

 Mass., and called Early Black." This has been ex- 

 tensively propagated on the Cape. It is dark red, matures 

 several weeks earlier than the ordinary varieties, and 

 commands the highest prices in the early market. 



It is also an important matter, in transplanting vines, 

 to secure those yielding large- sized berries, for the reason 

 that fine, showy fruit is at a premium in the markets, 

 and will always command the highest prices. 



The appearance of one's marketing has very much to 

 do with the price obtained for it in large cities, most of 

 the inhabitants of which have but a slight acquaintance 



