PRACTICAL PAPERS—CRANBERRY-GROWING. 
311 
On enquiring of our largest growers, as to the average crop, 
the estimate is, “ taking one year with another,” at no less rate, 
and by some of them considerably larger. It is safe to say, 
however, that when the vines have full possession of the 
ground, one hundred bushels per acre is a fair estimate, 
although in several places, the past season, the yield was full 
two hunched bushels, and in some favored spots, much larger, 
showing conclusively, that our lands are as productive as any 
others, even where the greatest amount of labor and capital 
has been expended. 
If we take into account the cost of establishing the business, 
it will be found largely in favor of Wisconsin, both as regards 
the cost and time necessary for a pajing crop to be realized. 
Taking the figures of the writer before quoted, it will be seen 
that the il cost of planting and preparing varies with the char¬ 
acter of the soil. The labor and expense of preparing the 
swamp land is much greater—the amount expended from the 
beginning until planting is completed, varying from $300 to 
$400 per acre, and in some instances reaching $600 per acre, 
including ditching and embankments, dams and gates for reg¬ 
ulating the flowing. After this there is an expense of five to 
ten dollars per acre for two or more years, till the ground is 
wholly coated with the vines, and the fruiting begins.” Tak¬ 
ing the lowest figures named as the cost per acre, say $300, 
Forty acres would amount to. $ 12. 000 
Annual expense for two or more years, $400. $800 
Interest three years, seven per cent. 2,500 
Cost of 40 acres in New Jersey. $15, 300 
An investment in Wisconsin, in forty acres of clear marsh, 
without vines growing upon it, but in condition for planting, 
well located for draining and flowing, would cost from $10 to 
$25 per acre, 
Say the highest—$25... $1,000 
Drainage, embankments, dams and gates. 500 
Setting 40 acres to vines. 400 
Interest for three years. 400 
Total cost. $2,300 
