Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-06
PLAN TING TIE CRANBERRY.


In It's wild or natural state. the cranberry is
found in wet situations; in boggy grounds, in
damp sandy lands, and on the low margins OF
ponds aud streams. II will 1--we and grow in
comparatively dry soils, but it will not bear
/ irult "huu, lis roots are immersed in water at
all seasons Of the wear.
SoH aHd Situation The first object of the
cuItvator shrAd be to select the ground for his
cranberry yard. Every wet situation is not SUN
abe. lie soil uIust be either sand, mud, peat.
or mixture OF these. There must be an
abundant supply Of water at all seasons of the
wear. il the ground is so situated tina, ii can be
Hooded during the winter and spring, il is bet-
ter but 1t is not ind spensable to success. The
ground must be saturated with water, either
from Springs, running streams, or the DRAWINGS
from higher land. On the low sandy margins
of ponds the water is not much affected by the
season, sufficient supply of moisture will as.
cend, because the little spaces between the
grains OF sand act as so many capillary tubes for
the ascent Of the water: but when the margin
is compact earth, or unmlXcd peat, the damp.
ness " u not on that principle rise to the sur
face In selection Of a situation for his cram
berry yard, the cutivaror must observe, first,
whether the soil is Of a loose, porous character,
easily permcab'e to water and.second, whether
there viii be an abundant supply of water in
the dryes, seasons. Ii either of these two re-
qusites is wanting, it will be useless for him
to attempt the cultivation of the cranberry.
Phnting and Culture. In Doggy grounds i.
Is advisable to retain the top soil, and cover the
surface with beach sand if it can be easily pro-
cured II not, with any sand that does not con
tam loan or surface soil. Till recently the
common method Of setting out the vines was,
after the bog was covered with sand, it was
marked off in parallel rows, like field of corn,
ana sods OF vines set from three to four fee,
apart each way. The usual method now is, to
sci IN drills about two feet apart. The vines
are separated, and only two or three upright
s'alh' are set together a d are placed from six
to twelve inches apart lcnglhwise Of the drill.
On we, and barren sandy land the expense OF
setting out the vines is much less than on bnps
cuttings from any part Of the stem will strike
root, and may be used where it is difficult OF
expensive to procure sufficient quantity with
roots. Where vines canno, be procured Gran
berries may be sown. Ii is not certain bu thai
sowing will ultimately prove TO be the cheapes
and most expeditions method. We know o
but one instance where cranberries were sown
That experiment was successful, and the groun,
IS now thickly sci with vines.
The best time for setting the vines, we are
unable TO state. The common practice has beer
10 set them at any time when the weather
would admit, from November to March. The
spring we should think preferable for sowing.
/ During the first season after they are set,
vines frequently put forth numerous runners
four or five feet long. The next year the run
mars put forth upright bearing stems, which pro
duce cranberres on the third year. The vines
do not usually become so thick set as TO cover
the ground before the fifth year.
! Manure is worse than useless, and any veg
etabe or animal matter that will cause fermen-
taton is injurious. As general rule, the more
barren the surface soil, the better it is adapted
to the growth OF the cranberry. The growth of
the grasses in such situations will be feeble,
while the cranberry, obtaining its sus'enance
manly from water and the atmosphere, grows
luxurlanlly. and will, ultimately kill out the
soil.
during the first three years, it is better to
pun out The grasses than to wait for the cram
ppe''y vines to overcome them Bushes must
&c carefully removed as fast as they spring up
in;,' u suffered To grow they would do great
"guiy' NO other attention is necessary. ex-
epn"g mat good fences must be maintained
herbaceous animals. ''0 'eP''''''o" VI
ryHsIone bushel of Cranberries 10 the
square rou may be considered good cron from
vines mat nave been set five wears tho,gh we
cou'u cue particular instances in which three
ana Jour bushels have been gathered. Raising
cranberries is Ike every other hnsinos, ~ IA,
II a man Judges rightly, is prudent and indus,ri.
ous' no VIII commonly succeed but if he dc.