-6- 



3. The correct amount of moisture appears to be the most important factor 

 in successful blueberry growing, for while some variation in acidity and 

 texture of soil will be tolerated, the water content must be just about right. 

 Therefore, it is best to select a site which is as nearly right as possible 

 and then by either drainage or irrigation to make conditions still better. 

 Wild varieties grow in swampy places, but they have bailt up a mossy mound 

 at their base so that the roots can get oxygen. In locations of this nature, 

 where it is not possible to lower the water table, it is sometimes practical 

 to prepare the lajid in such way that the plants are on ridges. In other 

 cases, where material such as sajidy loam or plain sand with a peaty bottom 

 is available, conditions may be corrected by adding fill. 



On the other hand, while some species in the wild grow on high, 

 relatively dry ground, the cultivated blueberry will not. At least it will 

 not produce first class fruit, except on hillside locations where water from 

 above is constantly passing down the slope. Where dry conditions exist, it 

 may be practical to supply water. Underneath irrigation would be preferable 

 although overhead sprinklers have the added advantage of supplying frost 

 protection. Heavy mulching is beneficial on too dry locations. 



In general, on fairly level land, the plants should be from two 

 to four feet above the water table and even higher on certain types of land 

 which keep moist through the summer. 



After selecting the site, one should take sufficient time to clear 

 the land properly and prepare it for planting. It should be well worked up 

 by plowing and cross discing or by some other satisfactory method, and when 

 ready for planting, the plants should be set not closer than 8' x 8'. They 

 may be set 8' x 4' but only with the idea of removing every other plant in 

 the row after 6-10 years so that the permanent planting will be 8' x 8'. 



(The foregoing discussion of blueberry soils and culture was written by a 

 pioneer blueberry grower, John Carleton of Sandwich.) 



POIV APPLE PICKING PROJECT - A PROGRESS REPORT 



German Prisoners of War are harvesting a fairly large proportion 

 of the scattered apple crop in the Nashoba area. Up to September 15 they 

 had worked a total of 32,639 Man-Hours in Middlesex and V/orcester Counties 

 and 5,972 in Hillsboro County, N.H. Transportation is furnished by the 

 grower for which he receives an allowance based on mileage and number of 

 POW's transported. The total transportation allowances in the two areas 

 mentioned above are $893 and $279 respectively, while the net balances paid 

 by the growers are $18,690 and |3,005. 



In addition to 44 fruit projects (one cranberry) thus far, at 

 least a dozen -uegetable grov/ers are availing themselves of POW help. During 

 the 5-day period, September 10 to 14, the following numbers of POlV's were 

 at work. Mass, (apples) - 394, 455, 408, 380, and 242 (total man-days, 1899); 

 Mass. (vegetables) - 191, 188, 219, 230, and 215 (total man-days, 1,043); 

 N.H. (apples) - 29, 132, 129, 132, and 103 (total man-days, 525). The min- 



