In conclusion^ this last word. If the itriter's efforts have contributed in a 

 small vay to the advancement of fruit grooving in Masssichusetts and to a more satis- 

 fying life among those people with v/hom he has worked^ his mission as a member of 

 the Extension staff of the University of Massachusetts has been to that extent suc- 

 cessful, 



T/,H,Thies 



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PREPARING FOR A SETTER lEAR IN 19^5 - (Blueberries) 



At this time of year spring looks a long way off. Consequently, there is a 

 tendency to put off doing some of the things which could very vjell be done during 

 the winter months. All too frequently spring is here before we have done half of 

 the things that we know vre should do. The following list of suggestions is probably 

 not a complete one but should serve asagood starting point. 



Pruning - This is one of the most important t hings for the blueberry grmev to 

 do during the \Trinter and early springs All too frequently it is left undone or left 

 until too late and then the job is hurried through and only half done* Sometimes 

 half or tvro-thirds of the field gets pruned and the rest is left unpruned because 

 cf lack cf tijne. It vrould be much better if the whole field were partially pruned 

 rather than leaving part of it unpruned, A good vray to do this job is to go through 

 the whole planting during the winter and do about half of the pz-uning required on 

 each busha This is the time to go through with the lopping stears, or heavy pruners, 

 and make any large cuts which are necessary. Then in late mnter or early spring, 

 when all danger of vdnter injury is over, go through the whole planting a second 

 time and do a finished job v;ith the hand shears,, 



Fertilizer - The use of fertilizer on cultivated blueberries is extremely im- 

 portant, YJhere mulches of such materials as sawdust and shavings are used, the ni- 

 trogen application will have to be about doubled for a year or two after the mulch 

 is applied. Also, where the blueberry planting has been allowed to develop a grass 

 sod, fertilizer applications, particularly nitrogen, will have to be increased very 

 materially. The best v/ay to determine the fertilizer needs of the bushes is to 

 study them carefully and judge from the type and amount of the growth, the amount 

 of fertilizer which is required. For those who Tdsh some assistance in this matter 

 Pomology Department Sheet Noo 2, which vdll be supplied on x-equest, discusses what 

 to use and how much. 



Mulching - Mulching cultivated blue berries has proved to be an excellent method 

 cf soil management. Sawdust, in particular, has been found to be one of the best 

 mriLches, Vifhether or not to mulch is usually determined by the cost of the mulch. 

 Much too frequently the cost of the mulch is so high that its use is not a financi- 

 ally sound procedure. However, if mulching is to be practiced, it is well to apply 

 it during the \Tlnter months when other jobs are not so pressingo 



Drainage - Are certain parts of your planting too vret? Although the ground may 

 be frozen noxT so that you can't dig drainage ditches and lay tile, the winter is a 

 good time to make plans for a drainage operation. Don't forget that the soil con- 

 servationist in your district vdll be glad to make surveys and help you v/iththe 

 planning of such a project. You can have all the plans made and the necessary mat- 

 erials on hand so that the actual construction of drains can be started as soon as 

 the ground thaws, or at any time v;laen it is convenient during the summerc 



