Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-26

bitches we walked, and walked till it
seemed that there was no end to this
improvised highway, and wherever we
looked we oeheld only sea of vines
suspending millions upon millions of
large glistening berries, some richly
green, others just tinging, and ali pre-
senting sight that was fairly enchant-
ing. Stepping out upon the marsh
and poking away the vines the first
impression would be that some care
less person had spilled a peck or more,
but the fact is, nature had done the
spilling, and we never saw splitting done
so evenly. In looking up some of the
narrower bitches, straight as a line,
the berries seemed hanging in clusters,
festoonins the slight walls of grass
and moss, and looking upon their beau
ty in the dark waters below. Mr..
Bearss estimates the present crop at
$500 BARRELS.
We should say twice that quantity at
least, and would prefer to threble it,
but We are perhaps extravagant in our
estimate. The number of pickers re-
quired to gather this immense crop is
put at
SIX HUNDRED,
accommodations being prepared for
that number.
Mr.. Bearss is erecting several
COMFORTABLE BUILDINGS,
two of them are 16x32 feet, two sto-
ries high, one 1895 feet, one 1896
feet, one 16x4S feet, and one 14x4S
feet. These will be principally for the
accommodation of pickers who may
board themselves, or be furnished with
board as they may select. Mr.. Thorn
as Joslyn will keep the boarding house
"a good selection.
4 SUPPLY STORE
will be in operation Immediately,
Messrs. Spaford, Cole & Go. will be
the merchants of Bearssville. A bak-
cry establishment under the manage
ment Of A. Crosse will be another
feature of the new city.
A LARGE DRYING HOUSE
30x66 feet and 2 stories in height is
newly completed. Instead of drying
the berries in the old way by spreading
and raking, Mr.. B. proposes to dry
them in boxes, and is therefore max
ing 5000 of these receptacles for ber-
ries which will hold one bushel each,
nicely prepared for ventilation, by
means of both sides and bottom admit
ting the free passage of air. These
boxes will be placed in tiers one above
another, after being filled with the
berries as they are taken from the
vines. When thoroughly dry they
will be removed and are ready for
shipping.
Mr.. Root, of Tomah, is manufac-
turing
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED BARRELS
upon the ground, for Mr.. B., besides
large quantities for shipment elsewhere.
A WOODEN RAILROAD
is being constructed from the dry
house to near the center Of the marsh
for the transportation of berries. The
berries will be measured upon the
marsh, and thence carried by car to
the dry house, accommodating all par
ties much better than the old way.
On the east and north boundary lines
Mr.. Bearss has constructed dam suf-
fcient to food the whole area of his
marsh territory, which can be drawn
off at pleasure, while on the north,
ditch connect ing with Cranberry creek
furnishes an unlimited supply Of water
for flooding upon special occasions.
: Everything in connection with the
marsh and all the requisites for cram
berry culture is first class. Mr.. Bearss
has shown what perseverance and in
dustry will do. From an apparently
worthless piece of flooded property, he
has, through determination and by the
exercise of careful judgment secured
to himself one of the finest marshes
in the world. We are glad of his
success.
South of Messrs. Bearss & Sons