The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-10-13
Culture of Cranberries.

About two years ago Charles 7.
Lansdale completed the planting of
two acres Of the latest improved east
ern craDberries from Cape Cod, Massa-
chusetts, and has successfully cultivat-
ed them until the present time, with
the most flattering results. He has
harvested this fall, on plat two miles
east of this city, berries from this
planting of a larger size, deeper and
more pleasing color better flavor than
those imported from the east. He
used in planting the two acres about
5Oo,O0O cuttings, all OF the latest
varieties. He has six different vari4-
ties planted on the two acres, and i'm
addition has an experimental corner,
IN which he has eight more different
varieties planted and will thereby de-
monstrate what kinds are best adapt-
ed TO this section. This is the only
land IN Thurston county that hac been
putt IN condition for the raising of cul-
tivated cranberries, according to
modern and business-like methods,
and Mr.. Lansdale will no doubt make
it success.
As partial description of the treat
ment given this land in preparing it,
Mr.. Lansdale states that he has had
put on these two acres about 1900
cubic yards of clean, coarse sand; all
OF which was taken from three TO
twenty feet below the surface of the
adjoining land. On account of the
boggy nature of the soil it was neces-
sary to cart this sand on to the marsh
In wheelbarrows; making in all about
lS,0OO wheelbarrow loads of sand trans
ferred. With the assistance OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad company
whose right of way forms the north
boundary OF his marsh, he has had
constructed modern and substantial
dam, and with the water that rises
on the property can flood his bog on
short notice. The two acres planted
are buta beginning, and notwithstand-
ing the heavy expense of cultivating
these two acres (S600 per acre to date)
he intends to add to his plantation as
fast as possible, having a considerable
field adapt,d d to this fruit.
The day has long since passed when
engaging In this business was consid-
cred hazardous, and for years it has
been a great industry in the few states
that are adapted to the berry in the
east, the crop in these states for the
year 1898 amounting to 100000
bushels, This fruit is annually ship
ped into the Pacific Coast states by
the carload from the cast, and as it
has been demonstrated beyond any
doubt that this section produces the
berry to a degree of perfection that
can not be surpassed and hardly equal
ed, there is no reason why this should
not become one of cur greatest re-
sources and chiefest wealth producing
factors In the fruit line.
Mr.. Lansdale holds fattering and
unsolicited testimonials from two of
the best posted and most experienced
cranberry growers in United States,
both of. whom assure him that he "is
bound to make his venture win," and
the outcome will be watched with in
terest by not a few. Mr.. Lansdale
owns twenty acres adjoining the two
referred to and he will undoubtedly
cultivate this land in the same man.
ner. To put this additional land into
cultivation will will cost from $4,000
to $4,000, and the crop from the
twenty-five acres of land will yield an
annual revenue of from $4,000 to
$15, GOO, an addition to the proportions.
As pioneer in the industry III this
section, everyone will wish him abun-..
dant and remunerative SUCCESS
tOlympian.