1890 



VACCINIUM 



considered superior to the lamp or torch, as it is more 

 easily handled. Each section of the lease is usually 

 burned over every third year. In this way the birches 

 and alders are subdued and the Blueberries spring up 

 quickly and bear a maximum crop the year following 

 the burning. 



The Blueberries have an advantase over other small 

 fruits in that they will stand shipment better and will 

 keep longer than the others, with the exception of cur- 

 rants and gooseberries. By far the largest proportion 

 of the fruit is taken to the factories for canning. Early 



VACCINIUM 



calities. In some cases these are albino forms; in others 

 the color is due to a fungus. Albino forms of 1'. Myr- 

 tillus were recorded as early as 1578 by Dodoens. The 

 other species thus far recorded are: V. Vilis-Idaa, 

 Pennsyivanicum, corymbosum and vacillans. It is 

 probable, however, that many otlii-r species exhibit this 

 variation. No special reas.ni ,-.,,, K. :i -i^ikmI for this 

 difference in color. Thewlni ' un.l growing 



(usually in colonies) by tli. . : rmal type. If 



exposed to full sun 

 a blush .■!■.. I., ..r . 



f-'ht, 



M 



in the season, however, before the factories are opened, 

 a considerable .amount is shipped to the larger cities 

 for use while fresh. This fruit is usually shipped in 

 quart boxes, as shown in Fig. 2G27. 



All of the early fruit is picked by hand and only ripe 

 berries are gathered. Later in the season, particularly 

 on "old burns," i. e., on areas which will have to be 



burue 

 "blu 



gathered with i 

 t somewhat simi 

 M Cod, and mai 

 ■ I which is com 



I'i^'. 2fi28. Till 



BluebeiTiLS. As tin- l.niirs ,■,,■,■ lmi li.Tcil tln-y ai't- 

 passed through a fannini; niill 1o .liniiiiate loaves and 

 twigs before being sent l.. ilir .miuiiii- Inctory. At flie 

 factory they are again siilmiiii, ,i lo a much stronger 

 •winnowing. This is the .mlN i.iv|i;iratiijn required for 

 market. 



The financial importance of the Blueberry industry 

 is very difficult to estimate at the present time. In 

 Maine tlin canning of Blui-b.-rries is largtiv in the 

 hands.. Til r. -A i.,-i.-l...r^. Til. l,-.r/. ^1 ..fl'i.' r... L.rics has 

 adaih .■ ., .• ■ ..I :<-:■ • '.'..■.!■'.•• - .• annual 

 output -.,.,, ! ' , , , , . ..r.'sent- 



Ingii.:^:..' i- . . ;.■ .. .. .::. : ... :■ . ■-.-. |.ii.-eper 



case fur ilir t'.uiiu a Uuii i i 'Hi II 'u. uf the 



annual product of this one tactoi} is liot tar from 

 $15,000. The total canned product of Mame's "Blue- 

 berry barrens " in 1899 was about 50,000 cases and the 

 price per case was $2.20, makmg the value of the Blue- 

 berry crop in tins one small section considerably more 

 than $100,000. In northern Michigan the annual ship- 



2627. A quart box of fancy Blueberries, prepared for market. 



ments are from 3,000-5,000 bushels. In New Jersey, 

 Pennsylvania and West Virginia large quantities of the 

 fruit are gathered from the plains and mountains, but 

 the work is not systematized. 



White or pinkish fruits, instead of the usual deep 

 blue-colored berries, are not uncommon in certain lo- 



Thc iisults have been most discouraging, and the Blue- 

 lurriis, though among the finest of fruits, are almost 

 nnkn..wn in cultivation. 



In 111.' .■:. ■. ..r ill.' .■r:,ii!..'rri.--, | .r. .; ■•- ^ , , ii . .n is effected 

 111.. ■ ' . . . . ' '.. rni}. With 



II.. !■,..■.. ! . ■ I . l.andinthis 



\\.. -|.. .'...li. .■! , , ;.,ii..(~ \ n. prrpetuated. 



l'..i- ^.11. i:.l |..ii j...-. -. li..,\.-\ 1-1-, ,~(-.-ainiiis or division 

 ]na\ I.. II-,. 1. I'r..|.,i;:aii(.n by seed naturallv requires 

 car., aii.l -kill. I. Ill 1- . ntii.lv feasible. The m'ethod fol- 

 1..W..1 at 111.. .\in..|.l .\ 1 1. ..return, and at the Maine Agri- 

 cultural I-'-xpciiiii'iit Si.-ition, where for several years 

 seedling Blueberries have been grown, is essentially as 

 follows: Seed-pans or boxes about i in. deep are half 

 filled with potsherds and 

 (■i.vi.r..d witli a layer 



then so\vrrtlii..klv i.tcs'sid 2*^*- Blueberry rake. 



down lightlv and covered 



with a slight sprinkling of sphagnum. The boxes 

 are placed in a coldframe until January, when they 

 are brought to a house with a temperature of 5.'j°-t;0" 

 and a range of 10° higher by day. As the young 

 seedlings appear, the sphagnum is gradually removed 

 and a quantity of compost sifted in among the plants. 

 The voting plants are troatr.) 111:.- ofb, r .Iri-.-at,- s,.,,,i- 



liii:rs: and iKindl.-.l til.ont t .--■•■ ■■ "■■■ - .-> -. ■--.-n. 



After S..|.t. 1 tli.-v an. liai.i. . ' . ■. . ■"■<■,{ 



