10 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 358 



alone, but a better plan is to substitute 710 pounds of it for the 900 pounds of 

 nitrate of soda and calcium nitrate in the mixture given above. If this sulfate 

 of ammonia combination is used, apply all the fertilizer at one time. 



For those with a few bushes in the back yard, a ready-mixed, complete fertilizer 

 is easiest to obtain and handle. Any good garden mixture or grass top dressing 

 will do. 



Pruning 



Pruning is one of the most important operations in blueberry growing. Its 

 purposes are to induce the bush to grow as many vigorous new shoots as potsible, 

 to prevent the bush from overbearing, and to stimulate the production of large 

 berries. It must be done in the winter or early spring before growth starts. 



The bushes need little pruning the first two years after planting. Only short, 

 weak branches need be removed. Bearing during this period is detrimental 

 because it reduces growth and delays the production of a commercial crop. 

 Therefore, the fruit buds are removed during pruning. If any are missed, the 

 flowers may be pulled off when the bushes bloom. 





Figure 5. Rubel — Before Pruning. 

 (a) Terminal shoots with fruit buds; (b) old stem l« be 



