6o AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



THE BLUEBERRY CANNING BUSINESS OF 

 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



Among the industries of this State of which the general pub- 

 He knows very Httle is the blueberry business of Washington 

 County. This industry rightfully belongs to our most eastern 

 county for there it had its origin and there today is the seat of 

 the canning operations. This industry, returning some S250,- 

 000.00 to the county annually, rightfully deserves a place in 

 this Agricultural Report. 



The great areas once covered with pine and oak forest were 

 cleared and for many years were burned over at intervals. 

 These acres thus kept barren proved to be natural blueberry 

 territory. 



The soil for the greater part is a light sandy loam and on 

 the "barrens" stretches for miles with little to obstruct the view. 

 Old settlers tell us that the area originally covered with oak is 

 the most valuable for the blueberry culture, although the pine 

 areas are very good. These barrens are for the most part com- 

 paratively level territon,' and are located chiefly in the south- 

 western to the central northern portion of the county. The 

 last few years show that much of the more hilly country is also 

 adapted to the growth of the berries, especially for the early 

 crop, so it is hard to say definitely how many acres of blueberry 

 territory there are in Washington County, but different esti- 

 mates give an average of about 250.000 acres. 



The land although very easily and inexpensively operated is 

 valued at $45.00 to $50.00 per acre. A large portion of the 

 barrens is owned by the men who operate the canneries, 

 although other individuals own large tracts and share the profits 

 of the crop with the canners. The ease with which a crop can 

 be produced is remarkable, for the most advanced methods, as 

 yet, consist of the simple method of burning over the area once 

 in three years. Only the more particular owners cut the large 



