-3- 



of the problem have been pieced together into a comprehensive understanding of the 

 pathogen and its control, The grovrers in Bristol County, realizing the "life and 

 death" character of the problem, have cooperated splendidly. Now the disease is 

 well under control, 



vJith the expansion of the orchard of Waltham, and recognition of our fruit 

 disease progranis, we will continue to serve the fruit industry in the study of 

 disease problems peculiar to Massachusetts. 



E. F. Guba 



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BLUEBERRY WiRIETIES .■ FROM "Bf.CK VvHEM" TILL NOW 



The blueberry breeding programs of several institutions have arrived at a 

 point ViThere a considerable number of new introductions may be expected in the near 

 future. As new names appear on the variety list, the tendency is to forget those 

 which have proved useful in the past. It might be v/ell, therefore, to stop occa- 

 sionally and take another look at these "old friends" as v/ell as to examine the 

 possibilities of the nevit 



Although some sporadic selecting had been done previously, the orderly approach 

 to the development of named varieties of cultivated blueberries was started in 1909. 

 The first varieties to be named and -introduced \rere selections from the vdld. uost 

 of the selecting was done by iiiss Elizabeth C, v/hite of ViTiitesbog, N. J, and Dr. 

 F. V. Coville of the U, S, Dept. of Agricultiore » Among the selections, Sooy, 

 Russell, Brooks, and Chatswcrth never became of commercial importance. They vrei-e 

 used for breeding only. 



The six selections, Rubel, Sam, Dunfee, Adams, Harding, and Grover were used 

 commercially for a while, but only Rubel continues to be grovm, 



Rubel has survived because of its productiveness and general hardiness, Rubel 

 ripens late and has a very long picking season. The fruit is only medium in size, 

 firm, raedixm blue, fairly attractive, and has a good scar and good flavor. The 

 bush is upright, vigorous, very productive, and resistant to a wide variety of ad- 

 verse conditions. Some growers have indicated that because of its productivity 

 and reliability they would plant more if they did further planting. 



The early hibridization was done by Dr. F. V. Coville of the U. S. Dept. of 

 Agriculture. The first three of his selections. Pioneer, Cabot, and Katherine, \;ere 

 named and introduced in 1920, 



Pioneer (Brooks X Sooy) r/as a very popular mid-season variety for many years 

 and many can still be found in commercial plantings in Llassachusetts . It has 

 outstandingly fine flavor but the bush is only moderately vigorous and requires 

 much detailed pruning which is costly. The berries decrease in size rather rapidly 

 at the end of the season. It is no longer reccinmended in Massachusetts, 



