Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-11
ANNUAL CRANBERRY MEETING.


Enthusiastic SeSS,Ua vi OiahDeiry of0WerS
field in Grand Rapids on tuesday,
The annual mcatugof the Wiscon-
sin State Cranberrg Growers Associa-
tion was called TO order III Council
Rooms, Grand Rapids, at 9 a. m,
Tuesday. Jan. 6. and the cranberry
growers continued in session all day.
President Briere delivered an address
which was receiv d withmarked atten-
tion. He said h Was glad to meet all
The cranberry growers. and wished all
a good crop again this year. He
reported the vines all over as in good
condition with chances for fair crop
next season. He urged the necessity
of growing larger, OF n least, uniform
berries, 50 aS not to be at a dlSadVan-
tage in competition with Eastern
Fancy varieties. A,,0 urged careful
grading in taking out the ( size and
smaller berries.
With regard to the Cranberry
Growers Union, it has made great
progress but the president stated that
it was far from being perfect and will
require several years more and must
have the help Of NOR growers.
Statistics from the s everal cram
berry localities show the crop Of 99
to have been about 300 900 bblS diStri-
buted as follows: New England 190,-
600 bblS., New JERSEY 10000 bblS., the
West 10000 bblS.
There was a large and fine exhibit of
berries grown on the Experimental
station and Judge Gaynbr explained,
at length, the plan and policy of its
management, ahd how results had
surpassed his expectations. He sug
gested that or bWers should take a
variety and cultivate With reference
to some one characteristic, viz: Size,
color, flavor, keeping qualities, gloss,
maturity, etc, to meet different
demands and tastes: that this would
not require any great scientific know
ledge but care and observation. Vines
for this purpose will be furnished to
any Wisconsin grower who will comply
with conditions imposed by rules and
regulations of Executive Committee.
The secretary read communication
from eX-president \. e. Bennett, now
in California, in regard to marketing
of berries and praised the system in
vogue in the Far West and outlined a
plan which he thought would be we'll
for cranberry men to follow.
His suggestions met with general
and as they will be published
in the Association report, will be
found valuable reading to all con-
cerned in the industry.
The matter OF a cranberry exhibit
at the Paris exposition was referred to
the executive committee with power
to cooperate with Agricultural Dept
at Washington in making creditable
showing.
In the election ofotficers the present
incumbentS Were chosen for the
coming year, and will be as follows:
President, ChaS Brere: vice presi-
dent, ). n. WhittleSey of CranmoOr:
secretary, w. Fl, Fitch of Cranmoor:
treasurer, NJ. Q, Potter of Centralia:
member of executive committee, A.
E. Bennett of CranmoOr.
The two experimental stations here
after VIII be consolidated and placed
under the management Of James
Gaynor, and ina few years will be a
source of revenue to the association in
Ulle way Ol supplying growers with a
high grade OF vines Of known chacter-
iSticS and merit.
An earnest discussion as to spring
drainage oroughtout pronounced views
on the part OF those present and the
matter became perfectly we'll settled
that, as rule The early drawing off
of water was the most satisfactory
in results.
The Berlin district was represented
by H. Q. Kruschke: Black River Falls
by IT. H. Gebhardt; Warren bv r, W,
Gebhardt; City Point bv c. Nelson:
Embarass by J. NJ. Wait: Tomah bv
Jonathan G.. Smith.
The general oninfon EXPRESSED was
that the gathering had been a most
profitable one and that those present
would take with hem knowledge of
great value to them IN the fnture