The Portland daily press., 1876-01-17
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
CRANBERRY Rot,

In my first report, published in the monthly
for October 1874 showed that the principal
cause of cranberry rot was improper cultiva-
ton. In many cases the vines have been
planted in fermented peat soil; but it has
also been shown that high temperatures and
great drought produce the same results, as
was the case near Pemberton last year.
There are many seeming contradictions as to
the cause of cranberry-rot, and some growers
have lost all confidence in human Judgment
on the subject, and are disposed to leave the
cultivation of the cranberry to nature. The
following will illustrate some of the principal
facts which have led to great confusion of
ideas amcng growers: III has bog always
covered with water; his berries never rot
B, his brother, has planted bog, similar as
TO quantity OF water, with vines selected from
the plantation of II. After copious rains and
hot suns the berries of rot while those of
81 remain in perfect condition, although
growing apparently under the same general
conditions. This seems inexplicable. But
the bog of II is surrounded by high bluffs
which pour out never ceasing supply of
comparatively cold water. The roots are
kept always cool, but not too cold for growth.
The fruit is longer in maturing than that of
some of the neighboring plantations differ
emily situated, but the berries of Ell ultimately
become fully matured, very firm and highly
charged with starch. B has no high bluffs to
supply him with cool water. On the con-
trary, his bog lies in an open plain, subject to
the effects of scorching sun. The tempera-
ture of the water becomes too high for healthy
growth, and his berries consequently sue.
cumb to these unfavorabe conditions.
There is conclusive evidence that matured
berries will grow only on matured vines. 1t
is the experience of all growers that the ber-
Ties OF vines two or three years old, however
large and beautiful, are not good keepers;
while the same vines when they become aged,
under ordinarily favorable circumstances, will
produce good keeping fruit. AS a general
rule, it is found that the old healthy boys pro-
duce the most reliable fruit.
When at Pembelton last year expressed
the opinion that the cranberries growing in
that neighborhood rotted from drought and
high temperature. Nearly all of the soil in
that district seemed to be free from bad odors;
but, under converse conditions this year, rot
of the berry occurred on the same planta-
tons. One of the most intelligent growers
of Pemberton informed me that the rot COM
menced Immediately after the heavy rains of
August.
The cranberry plant is very hardy; its
leaves are glossy and strongly resist climatic
changes. It's wood has a solid texture, and
withstands very cold weather, although it
may be killed by severe frost. The roots,
when planted in pure sand, or when growing
in gray moss, have a translucent, whtish
appearance, and are not easily broken. I'm
healthy roots are of dark brown or black
ish color, aud may be ground into pulp be-
tween the fingers. The blossoms and berries
are, however, very much subject to blight or
rot. When we take into consideration the
large amount of water contained in the best
varieties of the cranberry, it need not be SUR
prising that inferior kinds should succumb
even under slightly unfavorable conditions.
The following are the results Of an analysis,
made at the Department, of a dark-colored
and hardy variety of the cranberry, taken
from the plantation of G. G. and E. w. Crane
of New Jersey, known as the Cape Cod
Early Black-Bell:
Molstufes 1851
Organic matter 1929
Inorganic matter. rs
The common potato, which is very sue
culent tuber, has only seventy-four per cent.
OF water, and with that amount is very liable
to ferment when subjected to a moist at.
mosphere followed by high temperature.
When the cranberry is well formed and
in texture, its ripeEing should not be has
tened. Sudden transformations of conditions
should be avoided, so as TO prevent a renewal
of root and wood growth when it is desirable
to bring the berry to maturity. My advice to
the members of the association is the same
as last year, namely, irrigate, sand, and lime
all unhealthy plantations, and be more care
full in the selection of new bog-land for Grail
berry antations.-Department of Agricul-
ture Report.