Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-10
CRANBERRY CONVENTION.
August r1eeting Largely ATTENDED.
Tuesday August Sth.
A. c. and A. E. BENNETT ENTERTAIN.

| Through the kindness of E. P. Arpin
We were driven to the cranberry
| marshes of A. C. Bennett & Son, a dis
tance of about IA miles, to be present
at what is known as the Wisconsin
Growers Cranberry Association mid
summer or August meeting. 1t was the
largest gathering ef-the kind we ever
attended-about So people being pre-
sent.
The forenoon was occupied in looking
over the Arpin Bros. cranberry marshes
which consist of about 125 acres into
vines. The late frosts have damaged
their berries only on the wild marshes
The cultivated marshes have not yet
been touched in the least Probably
about one-third of the berries on the
wild marshes were frost bitten. What
is true of Arpin's marsh is largely true
of all the others in that section.
After tramping a couple Of hours in
the marsh bogs we were excellently
prepared to do justice to the spread
laid out for US at Benefits for dinner:
After that agreeable task was accom-
plished to the credit of the culinary de-
partment of Mrs. Bennetts household
we repaired to the cranberry house
where the convention was in session.
Among the large delegation present
we noticed the following prominent
cranberry growers from outside: w. S.
Braddock, president of the association;
J. III. Treat secretary; A. J. Rider, of
Trenton, New Jersey, secretary of the
American Cranberry Growers Associa-
ton; DR.. Emery Standsbury, of Apple
ton; Emulos Small, of Harwich, Mass,
and Willis S. Moore, of the Z. S.
Weather Bureau, of Milwaukee; and
we believe nearly every other local
cranberry grower in this section of the
state. ....... ....-.r !..... ...-....z. z.....
The whole forenoon was taken up in
the discussion of matters of interest to
the association. Messrs. Rider and
Small both addressed the meeting in
reference to stock company which
had been formed for the purpose of
opening a foreign market for the cram
berry. They invited the Wisconsin
Growers to take stock with them which
they did to the amount of 8 per cent.
of their entire crop. They also report
ed the promise of an average crop in
the east this fall unless something inter-
venes now to prevent. Messrs. J. A.
Gaynor, L. M. Nash, and other local
growers entered into the discussion.
Assemblyman Gaynor made report
of the legislation he accomplished for
the association in the legislature and
gave his idea as how best to use the
annual appropriation of $3.50 made by
said body last winter. He suggested
the establishment of three expert
mental stations at different points Tor
the growing Of the different varities of
native berries.
This falls crop was estimated on
August Sth to be alb out two-thirds of an
average crop. Of course this estimate
may be almost wholly wiped out if
light frost continue during the next
three weeks.
This August meeting was reported
one of the most interesting and largest
attendance of any meeting yet held. A
picture of the entire gathering was
taken in front of Mr.. Bennetts resi-
dence by our local artist Mr.. Juve.
Before adjourning vote of thanks
was rendered Mr. and Mrs. Bennett for
the hospitable entertainment extended
the members of the association during
the day.