Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-08-16
A SUCCESSFUL MEETING

Weather Perfect--Laree Crowds
in Attendance.-Address Of S.
N. Whittlesey. Vice President
Of the Wisconsin State Gran.
berry Growers Association.
FELLOW CRANBERRY GROWERS,
LADIES AND While
our occupation has risen in the eStima-
tion of good business men, from a
condition that elected only pity to
one that commands respect, we have
achieved no triumph of which we can
gracefully boast. No fortunes have
been made. some have been lost, and
probably very few cranberry growers
are now out of debt. The future
prospects is not for higher prices, and
if We would increase our profits we
must diminish our expenses. To
accomplish this we must get larger
yields from smaller areas, for the cost
bears to the crop about the same ratio
that the area bears to the crop. The
question that is most important and
upon which growers are not agreed
and are still in the dark, is how to
treat the marsh, the vine, the growing
crop to make it do it's best. For
instance, some preach and practice
early draining, others preach but
scarcely practice, while others advo-
cate and adhere to holding the winter
flood. Perhaps most of us might
profitably follow the methods of the
most successful growers, Mr.. Bennett
for instance, but even he is not in
the business for the special benefit of
the rest OF US. One there is, however,
now in the work, whose sole object is
the benefit of us all-that is the state.
The state has now undertaken to do
for the cranberry what has already
been done for cotton, corn, cattle, the
apple and so on. The state has
abundant resource, time and scienti-
fic advantage, that none of us in
private effort can hope for, and it is
recommended that we earnestly ask
and encourage the state to faithfully
pursue its Investigations and expert
ments in our line and to continue and
increase appropriations therefor.
The close proximity of drainage
districts may be menace to our we'll
fare, and as these drainage district
lands of Quick-sand Subsoil prove a
calamity to the many who purchase
small holdings in the belief that they
are buying rich farms, there is no
corresponding benefit for the damage
that threatens us, and all cranberry
men should unite in opposing this
invasion.
Another matter that may well
engage the attention of this associa-
tion is the advertising of the fruit;
not the business but the product.
Probably not one tenth of the people
OF the United States know what a
cranberry is, and only one tenth of
this tenth buy them in any appre-
ciable quantities. 1t might pay this
association to load car with cram
berries and ship to some chosen
centers of population; load peddlers'
wagons and sell at five cents a quart.
They will 90 like shot cakes to
people who never ate crapberries
before. 1t might help along the
cause if every grocer had conspicuous
and flaming cards or chromoes and a
lot of tracts to distribute. or receipts
for cooking. Cranberries require a
great deal of sugar, but not any more
tn an most other fruits. Then sugar
is cheaper than beef by the pound, is
better food, and entirely without
waste. Take equal parts by weight,
or if measured, take one quart of
cranberries, one pint of sugar and one
pint of water (big pint water) boil to-
gether twenty minutes in a porcelain
or earthen dish, stirring occasionally
and at last MASKING with a spoon
every berry that is not already broken.
When cool you have a better sauce
and more of it than can be produced
from any other source for the same
cost.
The Worlds Fair at St. Louis now
offers an opportunity to acquaint
people with the merits of this fruit.
A small section of marsh with the
growing vine is now on exhibition
there. Our Secretary, W. Fl. Fitch
has spent several days including Wis
consin day at the Fair and has
signally succeeded in interesting the
Fair management, the trade, the
press, and the porulace in the cram
berry exhibit. 1t is recommended that
competent committee of this
association collect contributions OF
cranberries, selected sorts, and serve
sample of sauce and so on at the Fair.
Another thing that is important to
US, perhaps most important, in our
calling: Cranberries are consumed
principally by the masses Of moderate
means. Cranberries are considered a
luxury, and a good market requires
prosperous times. Do not think for
moment that any political party has
a monopoly of prosperity. Parties are
a snare and delusion. Any public
policy that is good for republican or