The Cranberry bog is usually prepared in late fall, winter, or early
spring, when the ground is partially frozen, as it is more easily
cleared at this time, and cheaper labor is obtainable.
The first step in preparing the bog is to mow off, with a bush
scythe, all the small brush and undergrowth. We are then ready to
get rid of the trees. Experience has proved that the cheaper way is
to cut the roots of the large trees, and then by means of tackle,
in case they do not fall by their own weight, pull them over to the
ground. This saves many days’ labor, which would be necessary if the
trees were cut down above the ground and the stumps then dug out.
The refuse materials should be gathered into heaps, and, when dried,
burned upon the bog; but great care is necessary in burning not to
allow the moss and turf, of which the bog is composed, to get on
fire; for when once fairly started, it is nearly impossible, except
by flowing the bog, to extinguish the flames.
These first steps in clearing the bog must be done in the best
possible manner, preferably by day labor, under the direct care of
a watchful foreman, as the ultimate success of the Cranberry bog
depends very largely upon the thoroughness with which all of the tree
and bush roots are removed.
After the surface of the bog has been thoroughly cleaned off, it
is cut into squares, about eighteen inches across, by means of a
turf-axe, which is a thin, hatchet-shaped bladed implement, with a
stout, hickory handle, about thirty inches long. This axe is utilized
for cutting the tough, undergrowing roots, sure to be found just
below the surface of the soil.
The usual method is to cut across the bog in parallel lines eighteen
inches apart, and again at right angles in parallel lines in the same
manner, thus leaving the turf in square blocks about eighteen inches
square. Two men with long-handled, four-pronged bog-hooks follow
the cutters, pulling over the turf, which, after the ditching is
finished, should be chopped up, and so rendered suitable for making
the surface as smooth as possible, when the work of final grading is
completed.
We are now ready for ditching; the manner and methods necessary to
secure the best possible drainage being subject, of course, to such
varied conditions as to render it difficult to describe. But if there
were but three essential features of special importance, two of them
would be drainage.
All of the ditches should be dug with flaring banks, so as to prevent
caving in of the sides of the ditch, and thus making constant
trouble. A ditch, in any case, around the entire bog is an essential
feature in drainage, and to carry-off the cold surface water, as well
as a preventive of much difficulty in cultivation, etc.
If the ditches are thoroughly well made they will need but little
repairing or cleaning, and here as elsewhere in preparing the bog the
most careful attention on the part of the superintendent will prove
the cheapest in the end.
After the ditches are completed, the bog must be graded until it is
as smooth and level as a lawn. In grading the bog the levels must
be run in such a manner that it can be easily flooded with water,
since sometimes it may be desirable to do this as expeditiously
as possible, and the necessary arrangements to do this should be
provided at this time.
* * * * *
NORTH HARWICH, MASS., Oct. 19, 1891.
I have been in the habit of using Bradley’s Fertilizer on my
cranberry bogs for a number of years, and consider it very
beneficial. It pushes the new vines along to a bearing condition
much earlier than would be the case if left to depend on the
natural strength of the soil, and by covering the ground quicker
with vines the grass and brush are not so likely to get a start.
It also does well on old vines, increasing the crop, and the size
and quality of the berry. Last spring, to my sorrow, I neglected to
apply this phosphate to my old bog, and on gathering my crop this
fall I found I had made a great mistake. Shall use it another year,
without fail.