Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-10
Elm Lake Cranberry Marshes.

A short visit to Elm Lake Friday
last revealed the cranberry interests
there III full operation Arriving at
ll:3O we were cordially invited to
partake of dinner with the Searls Bros.
which we did. After dinner we were
shown how cranberries are handled.
The labor connected with handling
large crop is not known to any except
those who have had some experience.
Jacob and Andrew Searls own 1000
acres of land in proximity to their
residence, but only six forties have
berries and are picked over. They
have % men raking and 63 hand
plckers. The rakers are paid $500
per day and board, and the hand pick
ers get 65 cents per bushel, They
have convenient cranberry house "a
x4O feet, two stories high, also pleas
ant sleeping apartments for their help.
They expect to get between 800 and
500 barrels. The cost of the berries
when barreled is about So 80 to S3 90
Unless there should be severe frost
this week their crop will be all in.
sPAFFoRD's MARSH.
Ip looking over Spafford's marshes
there is much that could be written of
interest to all readers, but want of
space compels us to mention only a
few of the prominent facts in this
article. Mr.. Spafford owns about
1900 acres Of the best cranberry lands
In the county. Sixteen forties pro-
duce berries, but the principal cram
berry forties are eight in number lying
north of the railroad track and COM
pletely y surrounded by water controlled
by means of dams. The berries are
in solid mass and present beautiful
sight. The best marsh is left to be
picked last. Friday there were 40
men raking and 225 hand pickers
besides number of men helpers hand
ling the berries which were coming in
at the rate of 1000 bushels per day.
Mr.. Trahern who superintends the
work, was working like beaver with
the men and Mr.. Spaford was likewise
In rush measuring berries, paying
the pickers, waiting on customes at
the store and doing odd work besides.
He was paying out $400 and $500
each day. Their new cranberry house
is 22x8O it,, three stories high with
wing l2x0O it., one story. This was
rapidly filling up. They have five
large houses used for sleeping purposes
besides several small shanties, one
small store and small warehouse. At
the cookery where the rakers are
boarded, Mr.. VIM. Sprowl had charge
of affairs. Their crop this year will
not be less than 1000 barrels. The
light frosts thus far have not affected
these marshes, worthy Of mention.
Mr.. Trahern is entitled to great credit
for his good judgment in handling the
water properly on the Spafford proper
ty and thereby ensuring large crop
of fine berries. The first two carloads
of berries were shipped from this
marsh Wednesday, to Chicago.
G. W. MERRILL S MARSH.
The Merrill marshes are about two
miles east of the station and consist Of
four forties, two of which are cranberry
lands. Mr.. G.. w. Merrill is the
owner and has necessary buildings, ETC.
He has 80 men employed raking, and
has thus far gathered 325 barrels and
expects to get in 600 barrels. His
berries have been contracted to Mr..
j. E. Ingraham at $5 90 per barrel.
Mr. fl. W. Lord is acting as pay
master for Mr.. Ingraham and assisting
Mr. Merrill in handling the crop The
berries on all these marshes are of a
good quality.