Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-02-05
For the vermont FARMER.
Cranberry Culture-L Locality.

The cranberry is native OF a northern
climate. They will mature as far north as
Indian corn will ripen and are cultivated
extensively as far south as the southern part
Of New Jersey successfully near the sea
coast where they get the sea breeze during
the hot season, while in the interior OF that
state numerous plantations have rotted and
scalded every year siace they came into
bearing. 1t is very evident that this part of
the country is too hot in summer away from
the sea coast for cranberries. Cape Cod is
very natural location, as they have proved
by experience, having grown good crops sue
cessfully for over 80 years.
Long Island is probably the very best To-
cation for cranberries, rs the land Is cheap
from 81 to s25 per acre--the valleys
along the streams arc from 10 TO 25 rods
wide, the muck is from one.half to two feet
deep, aud under the muck is generally found
the very best of sand for covering. If not
found there it is always found on the mar.
gins of swamps. These swamps are free from
grass, covered with thick brush,) except
near the bogs There are large quantities
of meadows. As to meadows, don't want
anything to do With them in connection with
the cranberry. The only practical way to
improve them is to food them two or three
years, until the grass is entirely killed out.
Then if the muck is soft aud deep they will
not bear over three inches of sand, unless q
coating of meadow hay is first put on to hold
up the sand until the vines are matted.
will now give my plan for improving
swamps on Long Island;
1. Cut the brush with bush scythe and
bHru it.
2. Cut off the turf in squares, say two
feet thick turn them over with strong
hook. As the roots run on the top of the
ground they turn easy.
3. When dry through throw the turf
back each way from the brook, say rod.
Draw line as straight as spossibIe for a four
feet canal. Dig deep enough to have one
and half feet full to drain the surface af-
ter the turf is off. Turn 10 the brook Now
wheel the turf four or five rods to your low
est line, and pile three feet high. Cut a
ditch on each side, throwing against the turf,
and your dam is done. If the stream is
small, large dry goods box makes your
flume. Put in the boards and raise the water
and you have your level. If one board
above lowest level will not cover, grade tc
nearly level. Do all grading with muck.
Put on three to four inches of white sand
and one level is done. Don't use the turf to
ill up the old channel, as when it rots and
settles it will be out of level In grading
the sides leave all top soil and take subsoiI
to fll up the old channel. If the ground is
springy, ditch thoroughly. Ditch in all cas-
es so that the ground will be loose and not
soggy.
Do every dam and level in the same way
One inch of water over the vines will pre-
vent frosts or kill the worms as effectually
as six feet, while with pond with FIVE feet
head it would take week or more to food
and then if done in July will not kill the
blossoms but keep the vines growing and
prevent any new blossoms, and delay the
ripening two or three weeks in the fall while
with the same water on my plan l can food
in one-tenth Of the time, and not do any
damage whatever.
In selecting vines choose the small. pale
leaf runsrs of an orange color. BY careful
attention to this we have got up a variety
that yields (all conditions being attended to-
one barrel to the square rod.
would say in conclusion l find 1 cannot
write an exhaustive article on this subject
without taking up too much room in your
valuable paper. II this is well received
may try again at some future time. Ia tn,
mean time, would say if any of your read
ers are disposed to engage in the business on
Long Island land | could not think of 60
ing anywhere else to engage in cranberry
culture) would be willing to cooperate
with them on equal terms.
picked this season ninety barrels from
seven acres, and lexpect full crop mex
year. One of my neighbors picked $40 bar
rels from eight acres, but it takes too lOnl
to flood with large dams; it is too risky.
A. j. HINDs.
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