Until within 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
fertilize a 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.