The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-03-25
Upland Cranbcrfies.

The subject OF cranberry culture is attract
ing more and more attention every year in
many States, and the farmers of Maine are
beginning to feel more than they did few
years ago. The value of the berry for home
consumption and the high price it brings in the
market, have given an impulse to its culture
which was NOT felt in times past. But so lit
tie attention has been given to the subject
heretofore that our tiliers of the soil have
been ignorant OF the best means of produc-
ing this valuable crop. 1t has always been.
successfully cultivated except on low lands or
swamps prepared expressly for the purpose,
and the farmer, however anxious he might
be to grow the berry, would never think OF
attempting such an enterprise unless some
portion of his farm afforded a suitable spot
for that purpose. Agricultural writers, too,
have generally discarded the idea of cranber-
ry cnlture oh high and dry land. "Cranber-
ries on uplandw they would exclaim. The
thing is quite impossible because the natural
habit and wants OF the plant are OF such
nature as to entirely preclude the idea OF
raising it on any lands except such as can be
covered with water at certain seasons of the
year. Flooding has been considered abso-
iutely necessary to its successful culture.
One reason usually assigned for this supposed
necessity is the destruction of the cranberry
worm.. Another reason is to keep them back
out OF the way of the frost. 1t is generally be-
lieved that much moisture Is necessary during
their growth to develop the berry and raise
1t to perfection, Such notions in relation to
growing cranberries have almost universally
prevailed, and yet a gentleman of Long Is
land, n. Y, has Ventured to pronounce these
notions erroneous. he contends they can be
raised at a profit on what are called by way of
DIVISION the pine Barrens OF Long Islaud.'
Cultivation provides the remedy for the
want of water to flood the ground. Plough
deep and keep the surface ofth g soil thorough
ly pulverized and mellow and the night dews
will be saved and the ground gat moisture
even IN dry time. BY trailing the vines in
rows, natural mat or covering, operating as
mulch is provided, and drouth can be sue
cessfully resisted. The habit of the plant is
thus assisted while it will gradually accomo-
date itself to existing circnms tances. If this
gentleman's theory is found correct in prac-
lice, the expense of preparing the lands for
srnnheriy beds v IT De very 1nucn uiInInisBe0
and any farmer can raise this valuable ctou.
The experiment is worth trying, as 1t is
not attended with much labor and expense.
A cranberry bed in a garden would not only
be ornamental but also useful 1t would be
very pleasant to go into the garden or field
near the house, and pick cranberries instead
OF gong into the swamps after the luxury
We hope some of farmers will follow out
the above suggestions to practical result,
and we should like to see the experiment
tried in some of the gardens of our city.
We hope some OF our citizens will ornament
their gardens with cranberry beds, for they
are quite as beautiful as many flower beds.
The plant itself is beautiful when in full
leaf and growing vigorously, to say nothing
OF the blossoms and the berries upon which
everybody loves to gaze. Again we express
the wish that some of our citizens who have
gardens will try the experiment and give the
public the result OF their experience. Gen.
temen! you have the grounds, the means
and the time necessary for the execution OF
this enterprise; then why not enter upon it
and give our farmers who are less able to try
experiments the benefit of your experience?
AGRICOLA