FERTILIZATION.
Untilwithin a few years the Cranberry bog has had to depend upon its own resources for fertilization, as it was popularly supposed that a bog contained all the necessary nutriment to feed the growing crop. Careful investigation by the most successful growers has led them to believe that, in common with every other farm crop, a larger crop of finer quality of fruit can be grown per acre, if a good commercial fertilizer is used upon the Cranberry. They therefore commence with the plant when set out, and scatter a small quantity of fertilizer around each plant in setting, as we have before suggested on page 17; and each year thereafter they sow broadcast over the bog from 200 to 400 pounds of Bradley’s Superphosphate to the acre. The result is that a larger crop of richer-colored berries is secured, which will more successfully withstand handling and shipping. The vines are also so stimulated that the crop ripens much earlier, and very often a saving of hundreds of dollars will be made, through the grower being able to gather the berries early in the season, before the frost comes.
On old bogs, which are partially run out, the influence of a liberal dressing of Bradley’s Superphosphate is very marked, as it gives the vines a fresh supply of needed food, and brings ample returns the first season in largely increased crops of berries.
So marked is this effect, that if any one having a Cranberry bog will fertilizea small section of it for one season, at the rate of 200 to 400 pounds of Bradley’s Phosphate to the acre, he will always use this fertilizer thereafter, as the results will readily prove that it will pay him liberally to do so.
Another reason for fertilization is, that, through a liberal use of Bradley’s Superphosphate, the young plants attain that sturdy growth which enables them to withstand more successfully the attacks of the fire, fruit, and span worm, which flourish best upon weak plants.
The common theory that a fertilizer is simply a stimulant, whose influence is of no permanent benefit, has been proved to be erroneous by the experiments of some of the largest growers, who, after having used Bradley’s Superphosphate, find that not only have they grown enormous crops of the best quality berries, but their bogs are annually in a better condition than their neighbors’ bogs which have not been fertilized, and from which only small or average crops of berries have been secured.
By common consent, therefore, the leading growers are large users of Bradley’s Superphosphate, as they are convinced that its liberal use upon their bogs is repaid to them every season in increased crops of perfect fruit which commands the highest market price.
South Yarmouth, Mass., Oct. 22, 1891.I have used the Bradley Fertilizer on newly set cranberry vines, and find it causes them to grow and spread more rapidly over a new bog.JAMES F. SEARS.
South Yarmouth, Mass., Oct. 22, 1891.
I have used the Bradley Fertilizer on newly set cranberry vines, and find it causes them to grow and spread more rapidly over a new bog.
JAMES F. SEARS.