The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-08-14
AGRICULTURAL.
From the Prairie Farmer.


Ivan Bates. Esq. of Massachusetts, OF
the suljec, of The cranberry culture, !
part Of which we copy. Mr.. Ba'es, We
understood to be engaged in growing Ihi'
fruit.
Ftlow C.ii<sns:-is much ha'
been said on The subject of the cultivation
OF the cranberry. and as many communi
cations Of inquiry on HAT subject are dai'
Iy received by me, propose 10 give sGcii
information to the public as 10y experI'
ence will permit.
..Firsi. Select situation FOR your
cranberry field on clay sod, on such
is not liable 10 bake. or on dark loan
soil, or on any moist land where there
a mixture of sand. Most Of orr reclaim
ed lands. such as can be made moderate
" dry, are well adapted to grow the cram
berry. In fact, mos. soils that are na'n-
raj 10 grow the potatoes are sul'at'e Tor
The cranberry vet the first mentioned
soils should be preferred. think there
are portions Of most OF the Farms situated
in the Middle States, and their vrinly
that are well adapted 10 grow the Gran
berry; and | should propose to all de-
sirous of commencing The business, to
put their plants on different parts Of their
soil, and by so doing he better soils may
be ascertained. As faf as have observ,
ed. there are three varieties Of the cram
berry. viz: the barberry, the cherry and
.ae bell. have never known any vari-
ely Of tie berry that would nainra'Ize TO-
dry soil except the bell cranberry. This
species grows much in the form of an
egg. When in a wild state, ii is inclined
10 grow on The borders ofcranberry boys.
spreading its way to upland soil, This
species is much larger lh IN the others in
its wild state. Persons engaging in the
cultivation of the article, should conf
mence with the las, mentioned species
and by commencing with those that have
been cultivated and naufaizeI TO a dry |
soil, they will much sooner accomplish
their object, and with mnch less trouble
and expense, as the plants multiply and
increase abundantly. Persons cammen-
cling with one or two thousand will be
able 10 obtain plants of their own raising
sufficient to transplant acres, in two or
three years.
"Second. Prepare your soil the same
as for sowing grain, by blowing harrow
ing, aud making your soil even. Then
mark it on! in drill Is or 20 inches apart
Hoe them slightly at first, till the roots
become cinched, and afterwards no 9th
er cultivation is needed. The plants
may be expected 10 run together and Gov
er the whole soil in two or three years
The cranberry grown by cultivation usual
}y yields from $50 TO 400 bushels per
acre; its fruit is two or three times as
large as the wild fruit, and OF beautiful
flavor; it readily keeps sound from the
harvest time of it 10 the time Of harvest
again. The fruit is generally gathered
in September. 1t is gathered with wire.
teeth rakes, made for The purpose. One
man will generally gather from 30 to 40
bushels per day, with the aid Of a boy to
pick up the scattering fruit.
"Persons wishing for plants can have
.hcir supply of the sabscrber-price 81
per thousand for less quantities. than
the rate OF So per Thousand will
be charged. The plants will be carefully
packed in meadow moss, and well boxed.
which will enable them 10 go great dis.
lance in fresh state.
"rhe proper time for fill transplanrins
is October and November; for spring,
from the opening Of the same till about
the 10Th Of May. Persons wishing for
plants are requested to send their orders
rs early as the first of September, for fall
,ransplan,ing, and during The winter for
spring
Mr. Bates also offers to supply the fruit
TO those ordering ii. His terms are two
dollars per box; the boxes are ii inches
square aud Z deep.