-5- 



Irrigation - Cultivated blueberries need a lot of water all through the seasorio 

 Unfortunately some plantings have been set where either a part or all of the plant- 

 ing becomes too dry at some period during the summero Of course, this is most like- 

 ly to occur during excessively dry periods. Do you have one of these dry spots in 

 your planting? Has your crop been seriously cut by a dry spell? Perhaps you need 

 to consider what some type of irrigation could do for yout Ifere agaan your soil 

 conservationist could be of great help in giving you informatim on hovtr and where to 

 get vrater, what type of equipment will be best suited to your conditions, and in 

 making estimates of materials required and their cost» 



Spraying and Dusting IilateriaJs »• In the past cultivated blueberries in Massachu- 

 setts have not required very much dusting or spraying for the control of disease and 

 insect pests j Unfortunately, there is evidence that this happy situation may be 

 very nearly at an end and that much more spraying and dusting will be required in 

 the not too distant futvire* There is a pest control chart for cultivated blueberries 

 v;hich is revised annually« You may have a copy of this chart by ivriting to your 

 county agent or to the Extension Service in Amherst, Now is a good time to s tudy 

 one of these pest control charts and then order whatever spraying or dusting mater- 

 ials will be needed for your oivn planting. 



Plants - If you are going to replace some bushes which are missing or if you 

 are planning to expand your planting next spring, now is an excellent time to be 

 thinking about what varieties you vfill set, how many plants you vrlll need, and where 

 you will get these plants, while it's a good idea to write to several nurseries 

 for prices, remember that the plants which cost the least are not alvirays the cheap- 

 est. It is best to buy from a reliable nurseryman who propagates his ovm plants. 



Boxes - The picking season may seem a long way off but nov; is a good time to 

 prepare for it -when things are not so pressings A good supply of picking boxes and 

 crates or trays obtained this vd.nter will ease the tension when the rush of spring 

 work starts. 



Repairs - It would seem that no good farmer should need to be told to put his 

 equipment in good vd rking order during the winter so that it v;ill be ready for use 

 in the springe However, a reminder sometimes helps to get the job done mere quickly 

 and more easily. Be sure that all tractors and motors are in good running order and 

 in good enough condition so that breakdowns will not interfere v/ith Virork during the 

 busy season. Cultivation equipment should be inspected, broken or worn parts re- 

 placed and sharpening done if necessary. Are the basket carriers for your pickers 

 all in good repair? Do you have enough of them? Some growers put short legs on the 

 carriers which results in less bending and more comfort for the pickers -v^ich, in 

 turn, usually results in more berries picked. 



John S, Bailey 



Prepare now and worry less next spring© 



■«• -iir % ■«■ -Ji- -;;- ■«■ ■«• -iJ- -^- i;- ■«■ •»■ 



YOUR POMOLOGY DEPARTIiENT 



Perhaps you are one of those fruitgrowers who would like to know hovj- the Pomc^ 

 logy Department of the University is attempting to serve the fruit industry of Massa- 

 chusetts through research and the training of future fruitgrovrers and professional 

 T/orkers, If so, the following paragraphs should give you a bird's eye view of our 

 efforts in your behalf. 



