Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-21
THEY TALK CRANBERR|ES
ALSO EAT AND DRINK AND ARE MERRY
The Annual Cranberry Growers Association
Met at the Blackstone Gaynor Marsh
Near This City tuesday.

The cranberry culture is rapidly
becoming one of the most important
industries in Wood county. The
growers have what they call their
August meeting which is always held
in the month Of August, at which
time they give out their best estimate
Of the prospective crop, and enjoy a
social time and spread a most attrac
tive banquet to members Of the
association, their wives, children and
friends. They also have a winter
meeting held ia the month Of January
at which time they elect officers and
transact other business. The sixteenth
annual August meeting was held on
Tuesday at Gaynor Bros. marsh
which is centrally located in the cram
berry growing belt, about twelve miles
west Of Grand Rapids, About three
hundred men, women and children
assembled there on this occasion to
listen to literary program that had
been prepared, and was published in
full in a recent issue of the REPORTER.
and TO have d social good time.
The following guests were present
from other cities who are either
interested as growers or buyers Of the
fruit: Hon. ChaS. L. Lewis, Supreme
Judge 10 the state Of Minnesota: Il.
B. Kyle. of Chicago, who is connected
with Swift & Co., of that city as
buyers; Mr.. CLANCY, of Des Moines.
Iowa. who is connected with Peycke
Bros, who are large dealers in this
fruit; Prof. A. r. WhitSon, agri-
cultural physicist in connection with
the University of Wisconsin: Peter
Hackney and wife, and E. X. Tuttle
and wife, G. II. Bacon and daughter,
of Mather: Miss Brakeley, of Toledo,
Ohio; H. B. Tuttle and WIFE
of Valley Junction.: j. NJ. Wait,
Of Embarrass: HI. H. Gebhart and
Fred Gebhart and wife and S. A.
Warner, Of WarrenS: J. D. Potter, of
Pittsville; J. M. Plummer, of Mather:
and many Of the leading business men
and their wives and children from
Grand Rapids.
VIM. Wilson, section director Of the
q. S. weather bureau Of Milwaukee,
who was on for an address sent the
following telegram explaining his
absence: "Owing to my mothers
serious illness cannot address meet
ing Tuesday"
Ernest Peycke, Of Kansas City. who
was expected, sent telegram explain
ing his absence as follows: Il very
much regret that / cannot be with
you today and indulge in reception of
The enjoyable time | had a year ago.
Accept my best wishes for the future
success OF your association and the
prosperity of each individual mem
ber."
A picnic dinner was served at 1870
under the management Of Mrs. NJ. o.
Potter and Mrs. Andrew Searls,
assisted by a large number of other
ladies, that would tempt the appetite
of the most chronic dyspeptic. One
hundred and twenty-five people was
served at the first sitting. Prayer
was offered by Rev. w. A. Peterson
and the following poem was delivered
by Poet Laureat r. Mcfarland, d
member Of the association:
CRANBERRY PICKING TIME.
Don't you think that city folks would think
it very cute,
To go upon the cranberry marsh to see them
pick the fruit
If the men would take along their daughters
and their wives,
They would bid good-by to all resorts the
balance of their lives
When you go upon the meadow before the
work Is begun
Where every dewdrop sparkles like diamond In
the sun:
The grass appears as beautiful as waves on
inland seas,
Golden rod and buttercups are nodding in the
breeze.
1t surely Is a sight to see as on the bog we
pass,
Each berry tries to hide itself beneath the moss
and grass.
They act like timid people as if they were
afraid,
When you bring them to the light they blush
like bashfUl maid.
All day long the pickers go,
Until the sun is getting low.