Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-13
CRANBERRY
PRODUCTION

(By c. L. Lewis, Professor of Cen
eral forfeiture and Pomology at
Oregon Agricultural College.)
Considerable interest ia being taxi
en- in our state In cranberry culture,
and II is well that this Industry
should receive some of the attention
that Is being given to the various
/ horticultural pursuits. Probably no
line OF horticulture pays better prof
Its than cranberry growing, and In
localities where the yield is good II
Is practically impossible to buy the
well-prepared bogs for $1,000 an
acre.
There are two reasons for the high
price OF cranberry bogs. The first is
that the yields on good bogs pay
very good interest on the investment:
aud second, cranberry land Is very
scarce when compared with other
agricultural lands. The cranberry r.
very eXactlng I'm its requirements.
Nevertheless, there seems 10 be con-
siderable land along Oregon coast
that Is naturally adapted 10 this in
dustry. True n Is that most OF the
bogs are wild and only n few have
had any artificial preparation, aud IN
many cases these were not properly
prepared.
Valuable Tillamook Bogs.
What promises 20 be q very valu-
able bog for the Pacific northwest Is
one recently acquired by the Tllla-
NOOK Cranberry company near Ore
ton. This seems TO have the neces-
sary requ rements. such as soil, drain
age, good water supply and COM
paratiye ease with which a bed can
be prepared. The company has deter
mined 90 spare no pains I'm establish
inc this bog properly.
The reports of oregon yields are
almost unbelievable, and the gov
ernment statistics give the average
yield as being the highest In the
country. That the yield would run
considerable above the average seems
highly probable. for we have no in-
sect pests as yet. neither Do we have
frosts 10 contend with With the re-
turn OF say, 100 bushels 10 The acre.
a very handsome profit can be rea'-
lied on q valuation OF $1,000 per
acre.
Requirements for Cranberries.
In order 10 grow the berries suc-
eessfully, certain conditions must
prevail First, We desire peat soil
and especially a decompOsed peat.
Clay, or heavy muck soils are ande-
sirable. Second, an abundance OF
good, coarse sand should be available
within easy hauling distance. When
this Sand becomes mixed somewhat
with the peat II seems 10 make the
ideal soil. Third, the drainage Is
very important factor and during the
growing season one should be able
20 keep the water at least a foot be-
low the surface. II should not be
allowed 10 get much lower than this.
CranbeTries viii not stand stagnant
water. Fourth, a good water supply
furnished by some living streams or
reservoir, Is very desirable, for. In
case in~ects should appear. flooding
could be easily resOrted 10.
I'm addition 10 the above require
ments, Il Is alro well 10 choose a bog
IN which the work can be carried on
easily. n will cost from 500 40
$500 an acre 10 prepare bog First.
an trees. shrubbery. etc. must be
removed. 40 that no gras roots are
allowed 10 remain Then n layer Of
coarse sand. three 20 Eve inches deep,
NUT be applied After this 'he
young plants are set out. generally 4
ln rows about foot apart, the
plants from s'x 20 nine inches apart
In the row. The first few years egpe- .
cial care must be taken 20 keep out
an grass. After the plants become
once firmly established the danger