The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-22
Cranberry Culture To tho Owners
Of Tule and Swamp Lands.

years practical operator and traveller
in the boggy swamps of New Jersey,
and during that time has learned some
of the intricate windings of the bust
ness, and feels disposed to instruct
others as far as his practical knowledge
extends. In doing so he may differ
materially with others: his intention.
however, is to make no assertion which
he cannot back up by proof or practical
example. He will also insert Sc me rules
for culture and management. choice of
grounds. etc. for the purpose of assist
ing those who may wish to embark in
the business.
Many persons enter upon the culture
OF cranberries without making them
selves acquainted with even the rudi-
ments Of success. They presume the
whole thing to he profitable, hence the
little care taken in selecting suitable
grounds. where there is sufficient mois-
ture, with chance for its circulation.
1t is evident that cranberries should he
grown ON moist, swampy ground; and
That they will not prosper in soil com
posed of clay or loan. in which the
moisture becomes stagnant or puddled,
as in banked ground below the tide
water, where it has no escape but by
evaporation Many suppose, from find
ing them growing in their natural local
tiles, partially covered with water, that
they must necessarily be subjected. at
times, to flooding and entirely sub
merged in water.
They are sometimes found entirely
submerged, growing in shallow water;
but that does not prove that they will
not grow equally as WE'LL and produce
better berries out of water. We also
find them in Il natural state clambering
out on higher grounds. much improved
both in quality and quantity.
l do not expect to prove that nature
has gone out OF her course in diversity
ing her methods, but that she is prac
teal and reliable guide in all matters.
HOW TO SELECT PROPER GROUNDS.
Choose grounds that have free circu
lation of moisture through them. The
tnle must first be burned off. then pillow
and harrow. Make one leading or out
let ditch, which may he cut two feet
wide and eighteen inches deep. with
cross bitches. which can he made with
the pillow. In New Jersey the planting
is done before June or after August.
My method is to plant the vines in rows,
from eighteen to twenty inches apart
one way, and three to four feet the other
way, using wooden paddle about four
inches deep. Mucky land costs very
little to keep the grass down during the
first years cultivation of the Ninc-from
two to five dollars per acre Will do It,
If the vines send out leaders the cuiti-
vator must be kept ont. The rest of the
weeds have to be worked by hand.
MATURITY OF THE PLANTS.
This takes place the third year after
planting. The fourth year full crop
may he expected. la New Jersey the
ana November: the picking being mostly
done by women ana children. The cost
of picking, when they are in full set. is
forty cents per buslel. The berries
picked this year will keep in barrels
until the next picking time, and il cold
water is used they Vii keep several
years.
FLOODING THE GROUND.
| will here relate some facts that have
come under my own observation. and
which go to prove that flooding is en-
tirely useless: ! owned one plot of cram
berry ground, part of which can be
flooded, the other part being on II knoll,
too high to Hood; the result WIS, the
middle Of the high ground produced
far in excess of the flooded ground.
The cranberry culturists are Just now
beginning to find out that II large por-
ton of the American soil is adapted to
this fruit, though only II moiety of 1t
was supposed to he cranberry soil.
Twenty years ago wild cranberrics
averaged about 81 per bushel; i'll lSGo
the regular price was 81 and in 1870
they sold for So to IS. The cultivated
fruit has never sold for less than 81 and
the wild cranberrics are not saloable
now and Will not pay expenses.
Don't WORRY ABOUT YoURsELF.-
To regain or recover health, persons
should be relieved from all anxiety con-
corning diseases. The mind has power
over the body. For Il person to think
he has disease will often produce that
disease. This we see effected when the
mind is intensely concentrated upon the
disease of another. 1t is found in the
hospitals that surgeons and physicians
who make speciality of certain diseases
are liable to die of it themselves: and
the mental power is SO great that some
times people die of disease which they
only have in imagination. We have
seen person scasick in anticipation of
voyage before reaching the vessel.
We have known person to die of can
Ger in the stomach when he had no
cancer or any other mortal disease. A
blind-folded man, slightly pricked in
the arm has tainted and died from be-
ieving that he was bleeding to death.